Things You Need To Know About Generic Viagra

Viagra and its generic form, called sildenafil, are the most popular drugs available in the market for treating erectile dysfunction. The popularity of this drug is such that the name Viagra becomes synonymous with the treatment of sexual problems. Though everyone has heard the name Viagra, there is much that we don’t know about this medicine.

Below, you can find some exciting things about Viagra and its generic version – sildenafil.

Multiple Companies Manufacture Viagra

In May of 1994, the pharmaceutical company, Pfizer filed the patent for medicine that uses sildenafil citrate for treating erectile dysfunction. The production started in 2002, and the drug was named Viagra. Until 2013 Pfizer was the sole manufacturer of this medicine when Teva Pharmaceuticals entered into a deal with Pfizer to manufacture Viagra in exchange for royalties.

The generic Viagra became available in the market back in December 2017, and other manufacturers, namely Cambia and Aurobindo, are also pushing to produce generic Viagra.

The Prices Are Going Down

Since the introduction of generic Viagra in December of 2017, the prices are falling gradually. Both Teva and Pfizer priced the generic version of this medicine at 50% of the cost of the brand name (Viagra) drug. Sildenafil cost about $30 per pill when Pfizer released it, but now the same medicine – a small white pill instead of the familiar blue one, cost as little as $10-$15 depending on the pill’s strength.

Viagra Is Available In Various Strengths

Similar to the brand-name Viagra, the generic version (sildenafil) also comes in tablets of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. You can get your hand on whichever strength pill you like by ordering Viagra online or purchasing it from your nearest medical store.

Generic Viagra Is No Different From The Brand-Name Viagra

People often consider the generic variant of a medicine inferior quality due to the drastic difference in price. The generic drug’s efficacy is not lower than the brand-name version because both contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil. Both go through the same rigorous testing and quality control process before hitting the market. The FDA makes it so that no low-quality medicine can enter the market, whether it is a brand-name drug or a generic medication.

The only significant difference you can find between the brand-name and generic Viagra is the tablet’s color. Brand-name Viagra is a blue color pill, while the generic variant (sildenafil) is a little white tablet.

Another Variant Of Viagra Already Exists

Sildenafil is the generic version of not only Viagra but also Revatio. These brand-name medicines contain the same active ingredients, but the FDA approved both of them for different uses. While Viagra is an erectile dysfunction medicine, Revatio’s primary use is to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The easy way to distinguish between Viagra and Revatio is to look for the strength of the tablet. Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg, while Revatio only comes in 50mg pills.

It Is Among The Most Counterfeited Drugs In The World

Viagra is so popular that entire industries have sprung up to sell a counterfeit variant of this medicine. The counterfeiting problem is so widespread that Pfizer has to establish a security force to help curb the number of unregulated drugs in the market. The team, known as Pfizer Global Security, works with various law enforcement agencies, pharmacies, and wholesalers to keep an eye on the production and distribution of counterfeit Viagra.

It is essential to know if you are consuming the original or counterfeit version of the drug because using unauthentic medicine can lead to severe health complications. A study conducted by the Pfizer Global Security team found that almost 80% of the online pharmacies claiming to sell Viagra for cheap were selling a counterfeit drug. The same study also reveals that most fake pills contain dangerous substances like amphetamines, road paint, printer ink, floor wax, etc. That will undoubtedly harm you if you consume the product.

So, if you want to want to buy Viagra online, make sure to order it from a reputable seller to avoid getting a counterfeit.

This Medicine Does Have Side Effects

While Viagra is known for its positive effects on erectile dysfunction, you can also encounter some adverse effects that might be mild or severe, depending on different factors. While consuming Viagra, you may experience side effects including low blood pressure, headaches, abnormal vision, flushing, indigestion, and an erection that might last more than 5 hours.

If you experience any adverse effects of this drug, make sure to talk to a medical professional, and seek appropriate treatment if necessary. Though most of the symptoms do not require any medical attention, the prolonged erection can cause lasting damage to your penis muscle. So, if you get a painful erection that lasts for multiple hours, immediately visit a hospital and get treatment right away.

You Can Buy Viagra Without A Prescription In The UK

If you want to purchase Viagra in the United States, you will need a doctor’s prescription. But, in the United Kingdom (UK), you can easily procure it over-the-counter without the need for a doctor’s prescription.

In the UK, this medicine is available under the name of Viagra Connect in 50mg pills. Four tablets of Viagra Connect will cost you about $25 US dollars in the UK.

The United States Healthcare Regulatory Agency, equivalent to the US FDA, decided to make Viagra an over-the-counter medicine to discourage people from purchasing the drug through illegal means. Their efforts significantly reduced the amount of black marketing and the unregulated trade of Viagra tablets.

Viagra Can Treat More Than Erectile Dysfunction

Researchers’ first intention regarding sildenafil was to treat chest pain and angina. However, many patients taking this drug for chest pain reported having an increased amount of erections during the testing phase. These findings led the researchers to follow up on the prospect of treating erectile dysfunction. Soon, the FDA approved sildenafil for treating erectile dysfunction.

Ongoing studies and research have shown more uses of this drug over time. Now, doctors recommend this medicine to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in addition to erectile dysfunction. The generic sildenafil and brand-name Revatio 20mg are also helpful for controlling high blood pressure. The brand-name Viagra, available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg doses, is only famous for treating erectile dysfunction.