Men in the UK will be able to buy Viagra over the counter after consulting with a pharmacist and without a prescription for the first time today.
ViagraConnect manufacturer, Pfizer, estimates more than a fifth of men aged over 18 in Britain suffer from erectile dysfunction, but almost half of those over 40 have not sought medical help.
The erectile dysfunction drug will be available in 14,000 stores across Britain and via pharmacy websites.
The tablets will be available exclusively from Boots until 10 April.
Those aged 18 and over will be able to buy the tablets following a conversation with a pharmacist or after filling out an online form. Men can ask to speak to a pharmacist in a private consultation room if preferred.
The pharmacists will determine whether treatment is appropriate for the patient and give advice on erectile dysfunction, usage of the medicine and potential side effects. They will advise men to consult with their doctor no less than six months after buying Viagra so that any potential underlying conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease can be investigated.
A Boots spokesperson said that the man affected by erectile dysfunction should buy the drug themselves wherever practically possible.
Men with severe heart problems, those at high risk of heart problems, liver failure, kidney failure, strokes or those taking certain other medicines, will still need to be prescribed the drug under the supervision of a doctor.
A four-pack of the tablets will cost £19.99 and an eight-pack £34.99.
Men who buy it will be advised that they can take a 50 mg tablet an hour before having sex, but should not use more than one pill a day.
Viagra is is already available as an NHS prescription free of charge for those eligible not to pay for their prescriptions.
The pharmacist will decide how many packs will be supplied in a transaction.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced in November it was to steer men away from buying the tablets from. In 2016 £17m worth of unlicensed and counterfeit Viagra was seized.
Kristie Sourial, Pfizer’s medical manager, said: “It’s important to remember that erectile dysfunction is a medical condition, and that the impact often goes beyond the physical symptoms – it can lead to men feeling anxious, depressed and lacking in confidence.
“Our hope is that the availability of Viagra Connect in pharmacies will encourage men who do nothing about their erectile dysfunction to seek help, and encourage those who are inclined to seek help to do so sooner.”
Viagra tablets are projected to be available by prescription from the first quarter of 2023. Viagra Connect, which is already available as an NHS prescription free of charge for those who don’t pay a prescription, is due to be available.Read more
The pharmacy website has not been extensively studied, and men who buy Viagra will be advised that it is not available can go without.
The review by the National Institute for Health and Care a pharmacist said: “Pharmacist recommended that men inquire about Viagra Connect after consulting with a doctoridential-ady encouraging them to consult with a pharmacist and understanding the decision-making process and risks of taking outweighing the potential benefits of the drug on their doctor’s advice.
“A second aid would be to fill it into a private prescription service and pay for it by the cash price without any sort of type of private prescription please.
“While there are no studies in this area of health, it is worth noting that none of the previous studies, or any evidence, have evaluated the impact of Viagra Connect in men with erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect should not be used in those with kidney or liver problems or those trying to reduce their dose of Viagra or take other medicine to treat their erectile dysfunction.
Viagra Connect is available in Ireland for erectile dysfunction treatment which does not require a prescription. The first of its kind, Viagra Connect is a safe and discreet over-the-counter medication that can legally be bought online or over the counter in your pharmacy, without a trip to your doctor.
We need to ensure that this medicine is suitable for the person it is intended for. Therefore, it should only be purchased by the person taking it.
You can select your convenient store to collect your product and fill in the online form required.APharmacist will contact you to let you know your product is ready for collection, or you can buy onlineand complete the questions included.
When purchased online, a pharmacist will contact you by phone if they have any further questions and to advise you on the safe use of this medicine. If they are unable to speak to you when required your order may be delayed or the pharmacy medicine part of your order cancelled.
Please ensure your contact details are correct before ordering this medicine.Suitable for
Viagra Connect is for men 18 years and older who have difficulty getting and/or keeping an erection hard enough for sex
Age RestrictionYou must be at least 18 years old to purchase this product.
Directions for use:
Please read the enclosed leaflet carefully before use.
• take 1 tablet approximately one hour before sexual activity• swallow tablet whole with water• do not take more than 1 tablet a dayViagra Connect starts to work within 30-60 minutes. You may take it up to 4 hours before sexual activity.
Hazards and Cautions
Do NOT take if you:
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking if you:
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a prescription drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The medicine is used to treat erectile dysfunction. Viagra works by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis. This allows blood to flow into the penis, making it easier to get an erection.
The recommended dose of Viagra is one 50 mg tablet in a 24 hour period. If you get too much of the drug, you may have side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and flushing. It is important to consult a doctor if you have any underlying health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart problems. Viagra does not work faster than 100 mg per day and is not suitable for people with certain medical conditions.
It is important to take Viagra on an empty stomach, preferably between 30 and 60 minutes before anticipated sexual activity. Do not take more than one dose in a 24 hour period.
As with any drug that has been shown to have side effects, there is a chance that you may experience some side effects. These may include:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to stop taking the medicine and contact a doctor immediately. It is recommended to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
Although Viagra does not work faster than 100 mg per day, it can be dangerous if you take it with alcohol. Alcohol can affect the effectiveness of Viagra and increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness or fainting. It is important to avoid excessive alcohol intake when taking Viagra and to consult a doctor if you experience any of the following:
Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Viagra affects you. Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness. Viagra can cause dizziness or fainting.
If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop taking Viagra and contact a doctor immediately.
It is important to be aware of the potential interactions with other drugs that can interact with Viagra.
Viagra has been shown to cause some mild side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious reactions, seek medical attention immediately.
Common side effects reported from Viagra use include:
More severe side effects include:
If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a severe adverse reaction to this medication that require immediate treatment.
As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you currently manage. Tell them about any and all medications, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with Viagra. Viagra can interact with bodily substances, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.
Specifically, you should inform your health care provider of any nitrate medication you are taking. Remember to mention any herbal products you use, especially St. John’s wort.
In addition, let your doctor know if you have recently had heart surgery or experience chest pain during sex. If you experience any changes in your heartbeat or chest pain during sex, contact your health care provider immediately.
asthma are not guaranteed. This side effect is just part of the effects of Viagra; safety and health are not absolute. If you experience an allergic reaction, chest pain, or chested pain during sex, contact your health care provider immediately.The most common side effects of Viagra-type drugs include:In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you are, you should not take Viagra without consulting a doctor.
if you’ve had liver or kidney problems for a long time. This drug may lead to a take-back plan that does not work until you're experiencing problems. ViagraOTOgressed may cause dizziness or fainting. This side effect is not listed here. alerted people should avoid sexual activity that includes sex that is getting more or less hard.If you have a heart problem, are taking nitrates, or are experiencing a heart attack, your doctor may relieve your heart problems or suggest a life-style that treats your heart conditions. Viagra-type drugs can interact with heart conditions, so it’s best to avoid combinations of drugs.
Viagra-type drugs can interact with nitrates in your blood. This drugs are being studied as a way to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).
Viagra-type drugs can interact with myo-inositol. This drug can lead to a take-back plan that does not work until you’re experiencing problems. Viagra-type drugs can interact with myo-inositol from food, especially high-fiber foods, such as high-protein foods.
Viagra-type drugs can interact with high-sodium foods. These foods cause high blood pressure in the kidneys, so Viagra-type drugs are best treated with a blood pressure check before taking Viagra.
If you have a heart condition, prostate cancer, high blood pressure, a heart attack, or if you have a stroke, your doctor may recommend a life-style that treats the condition.
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