Viagra, the little blue pill. If you’re a man with erectile dysfunction, you’ve probably heard some (or lots) about it, what it’s used for, and have considered trying it or already have.

There are a lot of erectile dysfunction drugs to choose from, and you may also have heard about cheaper generic forms of these drugs. In this article, we give you the information you need about Viagra and its generic form, including how is used, to choose the right solution for you.

What Is Viagra?

Brand-name Viagra, also known by its generic name, Sildenafil, is a medicine used for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) and, in some cases, pulmonary arterial hypertension in men. Its effectiveness is the highest among all erectile dysfunction medications – making it arguably the best. It was the first tab developed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. In recent years, Viagra has also become popular for recreational use for young men, as it gives them longer erections, though using it recreationally is not recommended.

What Viagra Pills Look Like?

Viagra pills are small blue-color tablets, though they’re often known popularly as sex pills. The brand name Viagra comes with its name stamped on the tablet, while generics are often unmarked but also blue.

Brief History

The original story behind male Viagra and its use to treat erectile dysfunction was an accident. Scientists Andrew Bell, David Brown, and Nicholas Terrett at Pfizer were developing the drug with the purpose of treating high blood pressure and other possible heart conditions. These researchers discovered that it was successful in inducing erections, and decided to test it for this use instead. Thus, it was patented as Viagra, and approved by the FDA in 1998. This made it the first oral tablet used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the US.

What Is It Made Of?

You know what Viagra does, but what is it made up of? Among the many chemical compounds and processes involved in making it, Viagra’s active ingredients include:

• microcrystalline cellulose;
• anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate;
• titanium dioxide;
• croscarmellose sodium;
• hypromellose;
• triacetin.

For the most part, Viagra is made from easily soluble parts that are broken down by the liver hours after taking it.

Who Makes Viagra?

Brand-name Viagra is produced and sold in the US. by Pfizer. The alternative generic form of Viagra though is made by a number of different pharmaceutical companies around the world.

Who Should Use Viagra?

Your doctor can tell you if Viagra is right and safe for you. Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction are usually good candidates for Viagra or a generic form of it. Because Viagra is the most effective ED drug for most men, it is often prescribed first. How effective is it? In most studies, about 80% of men find that it gives some benefits in treating erectile dysfunction. Men who find it does not work or suffer side effects from it will then be prescribed another erectile dysfunction medication, like Cialis or Levitra.

You should not use Viagra if you use another nitrate drug. The combination of most erectile dysfunction drugs and nitrate drugs is one of the biggest dangers of taking Viagra and similar drugs, as it lowers your blood pressure. If you do use a nitrate drug, ask your doctor about possible alternatives. If you have questions about how it may react with other medications you take, also be sure to ask a medical professional. Be sure to follow its directions carefully as well, and take no more than 1-2 doses per day.

There are some common side effects of Viagra, including:

• stomachache;
• flushing, fever;
• runny nose;
• muscle pain;
• blurry vision.

Viagra Types

Viagra is the brand name of generic Sildenafil. There can be many types of Viagra in the sense that other companies can create generic forms of the same drug either under their own name or just under the banner of “generic sildenafil”.

How Does It Work?

Viagra, Sldenafil, is by definition a PDE5 inhibitor, meaning it inhibits the compound that often decreases blood flow. This allows it to stop the breakdown of cGMP, which is what helps blood flow and gives you an erection. Because it only prevents the premature breakdown of this chemical, it cannot give you an erection if you are not sexually aroused. It simply assists in blood flow occurring and lasting longer. Cialis and Levitra work in much the same way. The main difference in these drugs is their half-life, or how long it takes for them to begin working and how long they last before breaking down in the body. Viagra takes about 2-3 hours to work, which is why it is recommended that you take it a few hours before anticipated sexual activity. It generally lasts about 5 hours after taking it. Other drugs may take a longer or shorter time to begin working and may last less or more time.

This table shows you the properties of each form of sildenafil:

Properties	Viagra	Cialis	Levitra
Take before sexual activity	X	X	X
Take daily	X
Lasts hours	X	X
Lasts up to a few days	X
Effective for most males	X

Does Medicare Cover Viagra?

Because erectile dysfunction is not considered a life-threatening condition, it is not covered under traditional Medicare plans. If Viagra, or other similar drugs, are used for other heart conditions, they may be covered by Medicare, but this is rare.

Without medicare coverage, Viagra pills can cost far more than most can afford. When you buy generic Viagra online, not only do these medications tend to be cheaper due to price competition, you can also buy in bulk and in larger doses and cut pills in half. Because Viagra is a prescription drug in the US, you cannot buy in bulk from pharmacies, which adds to the high cost.

Viagra Over the Counter Buying at Online Pharmacy

In the US, Viagra is not currently available as an over the counter drug. It may become an over the counter drug in the US or other countries in the future, but this likely won’t happen until Pfizer’s patent on it expires.

Though it can not be bought over the counter at the moment, it can be bought online and shipped from abroad.

In the US and many other countries around the world, patent laws prevent pharmaceutical companies from producing drugs until the patent expires. This means that only the company that holds the patent can produce these drugs. Viagra is one example of this. In the US, patents are intended to incentivize companies to invest in research and development of new drugs, as it ensures they will be able to make a profit for a few years without competition. However, in the US, many of these patents continuously get extended and these companies can charge customers whatever they like. This is often due to the politics involved in US pharmaceutical companies and the lobbyists they hire to try to get patent extensions. For drugs that are not covered by insurance, like Viagra, this can make affording drugs impossible for some. Most erectile dysfunction drugs all cost a similar amount as well, and none are covered by Medicare.

In other countries though, patent laws either don’t exist or they are not granted for as long as those in the US, and rarely if ever extended. In countries with socialized healthcare, these patents often do not last as long because the financial burden would be too great for the government. In such countries, other pharmaceutical companies can begin producing the generic version of these drugs and price competition drives prices lower. That is why you can get many drugs from an online pharmacy. These online pharmacies ship drugs from countries where patents have expired and generic medications are already widely available.

Is It Legal?

In the countries where these drugs ship from, buying them is perfectly legal. Online pharmacies are based in countries where generic medications are regularly made and sold, so it’s as if someone is going to the store abroad for you and sending you the medication in the mail. If you went to these countries themselves, you would also be able to buy them in stores or from doctors.