Sildenafil Tablets
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Can I consume alcohol while taking Sildenafil? +−
Moderate alcohol consumption is generally acceptable, but excessive alcohol may reduce effectiveness and increase side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure. It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking sildenafil.
How long does Sildenafil take to work?+−
Sildenafil usually begins working within 30–60 minutes. Peak effectiveness is typically reached around one hour after taking a dose. Sexual stimulation is required for it to work.
Can I take Sildenafil every day?+−
Sildenafil should not be taken more than once in 24 hours. If you need more frequent treatment, a clinician may recommend alternatives such as daily Tadalafil which provides continuous coverage.
Can I use Sildenafil long term?+−
Sildenafil is safe for long-term use when taken as prescribed. However regular reviews with a prescriber are recommended to ensure the dose and treatment remain appropriate.
What is the difference between Sildenafil and Viagra?+−
Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. Both contain the same active ingredient and work in exactly the same way. The main difference is cost, with Sildenafil usually being more affordable.
Is 100mg Sildenafil too much?+−
100mg is the maximum recommended dose and is only used if lower doses are not effective. It should only be taken under medical supervision.
Can Sildenafil help me last longer?+−
Sildenafil works by treating ED, allowing for more sustained erections. Whilst this can boost confidence and performance, it doesn't directly delay ejaculation. If you suffer from premature ejaculation, you should speak to your healthcare provider for a suitable treatment.
Can I buy Sildenafil over the counter in the UK?+−
The only version of sildenafil available over-the-counter in the UK is Viagra Connect. This version is only available at the 50mg strength.
Whilst you do not need a prescription, you will still need to speak to a pharmacist to ensure the treatment is safe for you.
Is Sildenafil available on the NHS?+−
Yes, Viagra is available on the NHS but this is usually only prescribed if you have certain conditions and is usually limited to 4 tablets per month. For this reason, most patients prefer to source the medication from private providers.
Why is Sildenafil not working for me?+−
If Sildenafil is not working, try the following steps:
Take the tablets on an empty stomach
Wait at least 1 hour before sexual activity
Ensure you are sexually aroused - Sildenafil won’t work without stimulation
Avoid heavy alcohol
Try for about 4 times before deciding it's ineffective.
If after following the above steps, you still find the treatment is not working, speak to your pharmacist to increase your dose or suggest a suitable alternative medicine.
Are there any natural alternatives to Sildenafil?+−
Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet (especially one based on the Mediterranean diet), stopping smoking, exercising more, and managing stress are natural ways to reduce the risk of developing ED and improve symptoms in some cases.
However, there’s limited evidence about natural remedies and supplements that can help with erectile dysfunction, and none are recommended by healthcare professionals.
Will Sildenafil affect fertility?+−
There is no evidence that Sildenafil affects male fertility when taken as directed. Commonly used ED medication such as Sildenafil (Viagra) or Tadalafil (Cialis) do not affect sperm quality or affect male fertility. These drugs work by improving blood flow to the penis and do not directly affect sperm or hormones.
Sildenafil tablets
Sildenafil tablets are a prescription-only medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), helping men get and keep an erection firm enough for sexual activity.
Sildenafil tablets are the generic version of Viagra and contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, and can help you get an erection for up to 4 hours after taking the medication.
At Quick Meds, you can complete an online consultation with a prescriber to see if Sildenafil is safe and suitable for you. If eligible, your medicine will be sent to your chosen address.
Sildenafil at a glance
Helps men with erectile dysfunction get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.
Taken on-demand as needed, around 60 minutes before sexual activity
Doesn’t cause an automatic erection – you still need to be sexually stimulated.
Lasts up to around 4 hours, giving you a window to get and keep an erection.
Sildenafil overview
Sildenafil Tablets | |
|---|---|
Active ingredient | Sildenafil citrate |
Used for | |
Medicine type | PDE-5 inhibitor tablet |
Available strengths | |
Suitable for age | Adult men aged 18+ |
Suitable for women? | No |
How often it is used | Taken as needed before sex. No more than one prescribed dose in 24 hours |
Typical treatment length | No fixed treatment length. Can be taken as long as treatment for ED is needed and sildenafil remains suitable for you |
Prescription requirement | Prescription-only medicine (POM) |
How to buy Sildenafil online in the UK?
Sildenafil is a prescription-only medicine and is available from Quick Meds after a short online consultation. Once complete, a prescriber will review your consultation form and confirm whether treatment is suitable for you.
To order sildenafil online from Quick Meds:
Complete an online consultation. Answer questions about your health, symptoms and any medicines you take.
Choose your treatment and check out. Select your preferred sildenafil strength and pack size and complete payment.
Get assessed by a prescriber. A qualified prescriber will review your answers and decide whether sildenafil is safe and suitable for you.
Receive your treatment. If approved, your prescription is dispensed and your order is sent to your chosen address in discreet packaging.
Your prescriber may request more information or access to your NHS health record to confirm the treatment is right for you.
Strengths, pack sizes and what you receive
Sildenafil tablets are available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths and various pack sizes.
Each order contains the sildenafil tablets and the patient information leaflet.
Delivery information
Once your prescription has been approved, we’ll dispatch your sildenafil tablets. Orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day, so you could receive your tablets as soon as the next working day, provided no further information is needed following your consultation.
All orders are sent in discreet packaging and delivered straight to your home or specified delivery address.
Option | Price | Delivery | Order by |
|---|---|---|---|
Tracked 48 | £5.99 | 2 to 3 working days | 2pm weekdays |
Tracked 24 | £7.99 | Usually next working day | 2pm weekdays |
Special Delivery | £10.95 | Guaranteed by 1pm next working day | 2pm weekdays |
Saturday Delivery | £12.95 | Guaranteed by 1pm Saturday | 2pm Friday |
Same Day (Birmingham only) | £25.00 | Same day, signature required | 2pm Mon to Fri |
Sildenafil pricing
Sildenafil is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strengths, with the most suitable dose depending on your individual needs and suitability. The price is the same across the different strengths and varies according to pack size.
Number of sildenafil tablets per pack | Price at Quick Meds |
|---|---|
4 | £9.99 |
8 | £14.95 |
12 | £19.95 |
16 | £24.95 |
24 | £29.95 |
32 | £39.95 |
What is sildenafil and how does it work?
Sildenafil is an erectile dysfunction treatment that belongs to a group of medicines called PDE-5 inhibitors. It works by blocking the PDE-5 enzyme, helping blood vessels in the penis to relax so that more blood can flow into the penis and produce an erection.
Sildenafil doesn’t produce an erection on its own. Increased blood flow to the penis only occurs when you’re aroused, so you need to be sexually stimulated for it to work. Most men notice effects within 30 to 60 minutes, with the strongest effect around 1 hour after taking a dose.
How to take Sildenafil: dosage and administration
Take sildenafil exactly as prescribed. The usual recommended dose is 50mg, taken as needed 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
Swallow one tablet whole with water
Sildenafil can be taken with or without food, but eating a heavy or high-fat meal beforehand can delay how long it takes to start working
Do not take your prescribed dose of sildenafil more than once in 24 hours
Sexual stimulation is needed for sildenafil to work
Which sildenafil dose should you take?
The usual recommended dose for most men with erectile dysfunction is 50mg sildenafil. Depending on how well sildenafil works and whether you experience side effects, your prescriber may reduce the dose to 25mg or increase it to 100mg.
The maximum recommended dose is 100mg once per day. Taking more than 100mg does not improve the effect and increases the risk of side effects.
Some people may need a lower starting dose because of certain health conditions or medicines they take. Your prescriber will recommend the appropriate strength for you.
Strength | How it may be used |
|---|---|
Sildenafil 25mg | The lowest strength. May be prescribed if a lower dose is appropriate because of side effects, certain health conditions, or interacting medicines. |
Sildenafil 50mg | The usual recommended dose for most adults starting sildenafil. |
Sildenafil 100mg | The maximum recommended dose May be considered if sildenafil is well tolerated but the 50mg does not provide enough benefit. |
Always follow the instructions provided by your prescriber and in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.
Storage recommendations
Sildenafil has no special storage requirements.
Keep the tablets in their original packaging out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use sildenafil after the expiry date shown on the product packaging.
How effective is Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction?
Many men find that sildenafil tablets help improve their erections when taken as prescribed. In clinical studies, 74% of men taking the usual 50mg dose reported improved erections, compared with 25% taking a placebo.
Results varied depending on the dose. Improved erections were reported by:
62% of men taking 25mg sildenafil
74% of men taking 50mg sildenafil
82% of men taking 100mg sildenafil
A 100mg dose may be suitable for some men, while a lower dose may be more appropriate for others. Your prescriber will consider how well sildenafil is likely to work for you, along with your overall health and any potential side effects, to help identify the dose that is most suitable for you.
Sildenafil has also been shown to improve erections in men with different types and causes of ED, including psychological and physical ED. How well sildenafil works varies from person to person and can depend on the cause of your ED and general health.
How long does Sildenafil take to work?
Sildenafil usually starts working within 30 to 60 minutes, with the strongest effect around 1 hour after taking it. The effects can last for up to around 4 hours.
This does not mean that you will have an erection for 4 hours. Sildenafil only works with sexual stimulation, making it easier for you to get and maintain an erection when sexually aroused during this time.
Who is Sildenafil suitable for?
Sildenafil is suitable for men who have difficulty getting or keeping an erection, whether the problem is occasional or ongoing.
Sildenafil may be suitable for many people, however individuals respond differently. During your online consultation, a clinician will review your health and symptoms to make sure it’s a safe and suitable treatment for you.
Some people may need a little extra advice. Sildenafil may still be suitable for you, but you may need a lower starting dose of 25mg or a more detailed assessment. Please tell your prescriber if you:
have liver problems or severe kidney problems
take medicines that can interact with sildenafil
take an alpha-blocker for high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate (such as tamsulosin or doxazosin), which can cause dizziness or fainting when standing
Who shouldn't take Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is not suitable for everyone. If any of the following apply, please inform your prescriber:
You are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in the packaging
You take nitrate medicines for chest pain or angina
You use poppers (amyl nitrite)
You take riociguat for pulmonary hypertension
You have been advised to avoid sexual activity because of a heart condition
You have a history of loss of vision in one eye due to the eye condition NAION
You have low blood pressure
You have had a recent heart attack or stroke
You have severe liver problems
You have the rare inherited eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa
Side effects of Sildenafil
Like all medicines, Sildenafil can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most are mild and linked to how sildenafil widens blood vessels. Serious side effects are rare.
The patient information leaflet lists all possible side effects, but the main ones include:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
headaches
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
dizziness
hot flushes
a blocked nose
nausea
indigestion
vision changes, such as blurred vision
**Serious side effects of Sildenafil are rare (**around 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 people), but you should seek immediate medical help if you experience:
a prolonged, painful erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism),
chest pain or an irregular heartbeat
sudden vision loss
sudden hearing loss
signs of a severe allergic reaction
For a full list of Sildenafil side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet.
Interactions and things to avoid
Sildenafil can interact with some medicines, and a few of these interactions are dangerous. Always inform the prescriber about every medicine, supplement and recreational drug you take during your consultation.
Medicines that interact with Sildenafil
If you take any of these medicines, inform your prescriber:
nitrates, which are commonly used to treat or prevent chest pain (angina), such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and isosorbide mononitrate
nitric oxide donors, such as recreational “poppers” (amyl nitrite)
guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat
These combinations can cause a potentially dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Other medicines can raise Sildenafil levels in the body and increase side effects or affects how sildenafil works. These include:
some HIV medicines (such as ritonavir),
antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole),
some antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin),
and some anticonvulsants (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital).
Your prescriber may need to adjust your sildenafil dose or recommend a different treatment if you take any of these medicines.
Can you drink alcohol with Sildenafil?
You can drink alcohol while taking sildenafil, but it is best to limit your intake. Drinking a lot of alcohol can make it harder to get an erection, which may make sildenafil less effective.
What are the alternatives to Sildenafil?
Sildenafil is not the only treatment for erectile dysfunction. Other alternatives include Viagra, which contains the same active ingredient as sildenafil, and Tadalafil (including branded Cialis), which has a longer duration of action and may suit men who have sex more often or have a more spontaneous approach.
The table below compares the main options.
Viagra | Sildenafil | Cialis | Tadalafil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Active ingredient | Sildenafil | Sildenafil | Tadalafil | Tadalafil |
Type of medicine | PDE5 inhibitor | PDE5 inhibitor | PDE5 inhibitor | PDE5 inhibitor |
Generic or branded? | Branded | Generic | Branded | Generic |
When to take | About 1 hour before sex | About 1 hour before sex | At least 30 minutes before sex | At least 30 minutes before sex |
How long effects can last | Up to around 4 hours | Up to around 4 hours | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours |
Doses | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg | 25mg, 50mg, 100mg | 10mg, 20mg | 10mg, 20mg |
Daily dose available? | No | No | Yes – lower dose 2.5mg and 5mg options | Yes – lower dose 2.5mg and 5mg options |
Why choose Quick Meds to order Sildenafil?
Quick Meds is a UK-based, GPhC-registered online pharmacy that provides Sildenafil under full clinical oversight. A UK-registered prescriber reviews every request and approves treatment only if sildenafil suits you then your order arrives in plain, discreet packaging with tracked delivery.
Quick Meds support does not stop there: our prescribers and pharmacists stay available to you after your order. To answer questions, review your dose, advise on managing side effects and make reordering hassle-free.
