The male erectile dysfunction drug Viagra Connect is now available to buy without a prescription in the UK.

Like almost all drugs, the new drug may have side effects.

How is Viagra Connect different from the regular prescription Viagra, and what should potential buyers consider before taking these blue pills?

Viagra Connect vs Viagra: What’s the Difference?

Both drugs contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, but in different doses.

Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, which works by blocking a certain enzyme and expanding blood flow to the pelvic organs, thereby helping to achieve an erection.

Regular Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets (in blisters of 4-16 tablets).

Viagra Connect is only available in 50mg (in blisters of 4-8 tablets), which is the most optimal dose.
Who is Viagra Connect recommended for?

Viagra Connect is a drug recommended exclusively for men with impotence.

It is not recommended for teenagers under 18 (and they still cannot buy it in UK pharmacies), but women can buy it for their partners.

It is also not recommended for men who should not have sex for health reasons, such as those with serious cardiovascular disease.

As a general rule, men who become short of breath when doing light exercise – for example, climbing stairs – should not take the erectile dysfunction drug.
How and where to buy Viagra Connect?

The drug will be available in most pharmacies, but it will not be on the shelf like aspirin.

You will need to go to a pharmacist and ask for the drug, and the pharmacist will have to ask a number of questions to make sure that it is not harmful for you to take it, and answer your questions if any.

To do this, you can go to a consultation room, which are available in most pharmacies.

A pack of 4 tablets will cost 19 pounds 99 pence (approximately 23 euros or 1,614 rubles).
How effective is this drug?

In many cases, it helps to cope with erectile dysfunction, but not always and not for everyone.

Sildenafil citrate helps to dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow to the penis and achieve an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

But it is important to remember that the drug itself may not cause an erection if there is no natural attraction to your partner.

Viagra Connect can be taken regardless of food intake, but its effect may be slower if you have just eaten a large meal and then taken a pill.

This drug should be taken about an hour before sexual intercourse.

Do not combine Viagra Connect with grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as this may interfere with the normal action of the drug.

It is recommended to take no more than 1 tablet of 50 mg per day.

If you have not had an erection for quite a long time, you may need several attempts to achieve one even with the help of Viagra Connect.

Drinking large amounts of alcohol can also make it difficult to achieve an erection.
What if the erection lasts too long?

There have been rare cases of men taking this drug reporting painful or excessively prolonged erections lasting more than 4 hours.

If this happens to you, contact your doctor immediately.
What are the possible side effects?

Most common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

headache

Common (<1 in 10 cases):

dizziness
blurred vision or cyanopsia (impaired perception of color shades, in which a person begins to see everything in blue tones)
“hot flashes”
stuffy nose
nausea

Stop taking the drug and seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious side effects such as:

chest pain
sudden worsening or complete loss of vision
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the lips, eyelids, or the entire face)
seizures or loss of consciousness