How to Get Viagra

Medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD

Last Updated: December 7, 2021 References

Viagra is the brand name of the drug sildenafil, which is commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra works by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical that helps to relax the muscles in the penis and stimulate blood flow there. Viagra can be purchased through a traditional pharmacy or online, but in both cases you need a prescription to purchase it legally and safely.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Getting a Prescription

1
Make an appointment with your doctor. There are online sources that will provide "Viagra" without a prescription, but this is an illegal action and, in the interests of your own safety, you should only consider purchasing Viagra from reputable and legal sources. One way to ensure it's legal and safe to buy is that the site or seller requires a doctor's prescription. You should make an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription before trying to buy Viagra.^{[1]
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- Make sure your doctor is covered under your health insurance plan. If you have health insurance and do not want to be stuck with an unexpected bill, make sure to call your insurance company before making an appointment to confirm your doctor is covered under your plan.
- Though it can be emotionally difficult to broach the subject of taking Viagra with your doctor, studies have shown that 80% of men feel better after discussing erectile dysfunction with their physicians.^{[2]
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2
Prepare for your doctor's appointment. To make the most out of your doctor's appointment, you should prepare questions and answers ahead of time. You'll want to make sure to inquire about the potential side effects, contraindications (or conditions that make Viagra untenable for you, such as a history of heart problems, stroke, liver or kidney disease, etc.), and risks of taking Viagra. You should also ask what results should expect from using the medication. Be prepared as well to submit to a full medical history and answer the following specific questions about why you are interested in taking Viagra:^{[3]
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- Why do you want Viagra?
- When did your erectile dysfunction start?
- Is your erectile dysfunction always a problem? How often do you experience it?
3
Get your Viagra prescription. After discussing your erectile dysfunction and your medical history, ask your doctor for a prescription for Viagra. You may have your doctor's office directly submit the script to your preferred pharmacy, or you can take it with you and use the script to purchase Viagra at a pharmacy or online.
- Note that Viagra is only available in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Your doctor will prescribe whatever he deems is best for you.^{[4]
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4
Consider your insurance coverage. If you have health insurance, confirm your coverage online or with a customer service representative. Along with other basic personal information (such as your birth date and social security number), remember to have your health insurance ID number handy for when you log-in online or speak to a representative on the phone. Find out whether Viagra is covered under the prescription coverage component of your insurance plan.
- If Viagra is not covered, you may want to check to see if similar drugs that help treat erectile dysfunction, like Cialis or Levitra, are covered by your health insurance plan. You can then ask your doctor if these might work for you.
- If you don't have any health insurance, consider purchasing a plan. You don't need a health insurance plan to purchase Viagra, but prescriptions are usually cheaper with one. There are many factors to considering when shopping for health insurance including rate, coverage, HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO plans, deductibles, etc. Should you choose to buy health insurance, take your time to shop and compare before making a purchase.
- Knowing whether or not you have insurance to cover the medication will make a difference in how you obtain it. If Viagra is covered by your insurance, the prescription co-pay is usually the same at all pharmacies, so there is no need to shop around for the best price. And having your doctor's office directly submit the script means that your prescription will be ready faster. However, if your Viagra is not covered by insurance, taking the script with you gives you the time to shop for the best price.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Obtaining Viagra

1
Take your Viagra prescription to a pharmacy. This is the more traditional method of getting Viagra. Your doctor may send the script directly to your pharmacy of choice, or you can take the script into a pharmacy. After the pharmacy receives your prescription for Viagra, it may take a few minutes, or even a day for the pharmacy to fill your prescription.
- When you pick up your prescription, be prepared to pay your co-pay if you are insured, and the entire cost of your prescription if you are not insured. If you have health insurance, make sure you bring your health insurance ID card with you and give it to the pharmacists.
- The pharmacist may want to talk to you about usage and risks. This is standard for any new prescriptions and may be useful for you.
2
Purchase Viagra online. The online world does big business in selling Viagra and, unsurprisingly, online scams are quite common. If you opt to buy Viagra from an online retailer, you should take some precautions and do your research. Make sure the online pharmacy or other retailer is legitimate. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has a website where you can check to see if an online pharmacy is licensed and accredited as a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS).
- Watch out for the following warning flags: the price seems much cheaper than other online sellers; there is no contact information, such as a phone number or address, provided on the website; the seller doesn't require a prescription for Viagra in order to sell it to you; the medication comes in different forms other than the three doses (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg), such as "fast-dissolving strength," "soft-tab," etc.
- Be careful when ordering the medication online that you have input the right prescription and dose. Check as well when you receive the medication that it is the exact dose and type of medication that your doctor instructed you to take.^{[5]
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3
Never purchase Viagra from online sources that do not require a prescription. This is illegal and dangerous. Harmful substances, such as blue printer ink, amphetamine, metronidazole (a powerful antibiotic that can cause an allergic reaction, diarrhea or vomiting), and binding agents (such as drywall), have all been found in "fake" or "counterfeit" Viagra.^{[6]
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- Viagra is actually one of the most counterfeited drug in the entire world. In one study, 80% of websites selling Viagra were not selling the real drug but fakes.
- To stay healthy and avoid these harmful substances and potential adverse consequences, only obtain Viagra at your local pharmacy or through an accredited online source.
4
Use your Viagra. Once your Viagra arrives at your house, you can start using it. Be sure that you follow your doctor's explicit instructions regarding dose and frequency of Viagra use. Typically, this medication is taken on an empty stomach about one hour before sexual intercourse. Note that deviating from your doctor's instructions can be life threatening.^{[7]
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- Do not use Viagra recreationally.
- Do not combine Viagra with amyl nitrite as this combination can be fatal.
- Very few men report any side effects, such as flushing, stuffy or runny nose, headache, changes in vision, and dizziness, from taking Viagra. You should, however, seek medical attention if you experience any loss in vision or hearing or if you experience an erection that does not go away on its own (after more than four hours).

Warnings

Don't be tricked into purchasing 'herbal viagra.' These are not effective substitutes and can contain harmful substances.^{[8]
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If you think you may have accidentally purchased and received counterfeit Viagra, contact the FDA MedWatch Program or call 1-855-855-3033.

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