9 Things To Know About Generic Viagra – GoodRx

Viagra and its generic, sildenafil, are two of the most popular drugs on the market today. Their popularity has led to thousands of bad jokes and hundreds of cheesy commercials, but how much do you actually know about the infamous erectile dysfunction pill?

Here are nine things you should know to get better acquainted with Viagra and its generic, sildenafil.

1) There are multiple manufacturers.

Initially, generic sildenafil was only being manufactured by two companies: Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals. However, since the generic launch back in December 2017, more manufacturers (like Aurobindo and Cambia) have come to the table, continuing to drive prices down.

2) Prices keep going down.

Yes, you read that right. In December 2017, Pfizer and Teva priced generic sildenafil at 50% of the price of the brand at that time. That meant sildenafil cost around $30 per tablet when it was released. Now that more manufacturers are making the generic, sildenafil can cost as little as $4–$10 per tablet with a GoodRx coupon at some pharmacies, depending on the strength of the pill.

3) It comes in multiple strengths.

Just like brand-name Viagra, generic (Viagra-equivalent) sildenafil is sold in tablets of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.

4) Sildenafil is no different from brand-name Viagra.

We consistently see patients voice concern about how well generic drugs work. But keep in mind the rigorous process that drugs must go through before they hit the market. These processes ensure that generic medications contain the same active ingredients as their brand-name counterparts, so there are very few differences between them. You can read more about this from the FDA here.

The biggest difference between brand and generic Viagra is their colors. Viagra’s “little blue pill” is now sildenafil’s “little white pill.”

5) A different version of sildenafil already exists.

Don’t let this confuse you. Sildenafil is the generic for two common brand drugs on the market right now, Revatio and Viagra, but these drugs are approved by the FDA for two different uses. Revatio is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, while Viagra treats erectile dysfunction in men.

How can you distinguish between the two? Revatio-equivalent sildenafil is only sold as a 20 mg tablet, while Viagra’s generic sildenafil is sold in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets. For more on this, see our previous blog here.

6) Viagra is the most counterfeited drug in the world.

The problem of counterfeit Viagra is so widespread that Pfizer has even created their own security force to help cut down the number of unregulated drugs on the market. This team, called Pfizer Global Security, works with law enforcement, pharmacies and wholesalers to monitor and improve surveillance on the distribution of counterfeit Viagra.

Why is this so important? One study done by the Pfizer Global Security team found that nearly 80% of online sites that claimed to sell Viagra were actually selling a counterfeit. The team even found dangerous additives like blue printer ink, amphetamines (or speed), rat poison, road paint, and floor wax hidden in counterfeit Viagra—things you definitely don’t want to put in your body.

For more information on spotting fake Viagra, see Pfizer’s video on how to buy safely here.

7) Sildenafil does have side effects.

While you might have only heard of the good effects of Viagra and sildenafil, be aware that they do have some negative side effects. According to our friends at Iodine, people taking Viagra typically report side effects like headache, flushing, low blood pressure, abnormal vision, indigestion, and an erection lasting longer than five hours. Be sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of these side effects for a prolonged period of time.

8) Sildenafil is available without a prescription in the UK.

In the United States, Viagra and sildenafil are only available by prescription. But in the UK, patients can buy Viagra over the counter without a prescription. It is sold under the name, Viagra Connect, and comes in a 50 mg tablet for around $25 US dollars for four tablets.

This decision by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (the UK’s version of the FDA) was aimed to reduce the amount of black market, unregulated Viagra tablets being sold.

9) Sildenafil treats more than erectile dysfunction.

In fact, sildenafil was first intended to treat chest pain and angina. However, patients prescribed sildenafil for chest pain reported an interesting side effect, an increased amount of erections, and it was soon after approved to treat erectile dysfunction.

Since then, sildenafil’s indications have expanded to include high blood pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension in addition to erectile dysfunction. Revatio and generic sildenafil 20 mg are used for high blood pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Viagra and generic sildenafil 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg are used for erectile dysfunction.

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