Viagra Connect 50mg

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that affects men of all ages and can have a significant impact on confidence and relationships. It is a medical condition, not a personal failing, and effective treatments are available. Viagra Connect 50mg tablets contain sildenafil, the same active ingredient found in prescription Viagra, in a formulation now available from pharmacies without a prescription. Viagra Connect is licensed specifically for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men aged 18 to 64. A pharmacist consultation is required before supply to ensure the medicine is safe and appropriate for you.

Viagra Connect is a Pharmacy Medicine containing sildenafil 50mg as the active ingredient. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, a well-established class of medicine for erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect was reclassified from Prescription Only Medicine to Pharmacy Medicine status in the UK in 2018, making it the first oral erectile dysfunction treatment available without a prescription.

Viagra Connect is licensed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men aged 18 to 64. Erectile dysfunction is defined as the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. The medicine does not increase sexual desire. It works only in response to sexual stimulation.

Viagra Connect is distinct from prescription Viagra and generic sildenafil tablets available on prescription, which are available in multiple strengths (25mg, 50mg, 100mg). Viagra Connect is available only in the 50mg strength as a Pharmacy Medicine. Men who require a higher or lower dose, or who are aged 65 or over, need a prescription from a GP or through an online prescribing service.

Pharmacist consultation required: Before purchasing Viagra Connect, a pharmacist must assess your suitability. This involves a short consultation to check that you do not have any conditions or take any medicines that would make sildenafil unsafe. This is a regulatory requirement and is there for your safety.

PDE5 Inhibition and Increased Blood Flow

Sildenafil works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This enzyme breaks down a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the penile blood vessels. cGMP is produced when sexual stimulation triggers the release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow into the erectile tissue of the penis.

By blocking PDE5, sildenafil prevents cGMP from being broken down too quickly. This sustains the smooth muscle relaxation and maintains increased blood flow into the penis, supporting the ability to achieve and maintain an erection. The medicine only works in the presence of sexual stimulation. It does not produce an erection spontaneously.

Onset and Duration

Viagra Connect typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working. In some men, it may take up to an hour or slightly longer, particularly if taken with or after a large or high fat meal, which can slow absorption. The effect can last for up to four hours. Taking it on an empty stomach or with a light meal generally produces a faster onset.

• Take one 50mg tablet approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
• Sexual stimulation is needed for the medicine to work. It will not produce an erection without it.
• Do not take more than one tablet in any 24 hour period.
• Avoid taking with or shortly after a large or high fat meal. This can delay the onset of action.
• Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol before taking Viagra Connect. Alcohol can impair the ability to get an erection and may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness and low blood pressure.
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the level of sildenafil in the blood and should be avoided.
• Do not take Viagra Connect if you use nitrate medicines for chest pain or heart problems (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate). Combining sildenafil with nitrates can cause a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure that can be life-threatening. This is an absolute contraindication.

Viagra Connect 50mg Film-Coated Tablets

Viagra Connect is available in the 50mg strength only as a Pharmacy Medicine. One tablet is taken as needed, approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Do not take more than one tablet per day. If the 50mg dose is insufficient or causes troublesome side effects, speak to your GP about prescription sildenafil, which is available in 25mg and 100mg strengths.

Viagra Connect is not intended for daily use as a routine medicine. It is taken as needed, before planned sexual activity. Men who find they need sildenafil more regularly, or who wish to consider a daily low-dose PDE5 inhibitor option, should speak to their GP.

CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING - NITRATES: Do not take Viagra Connect if you use any nitrate medicine, including GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) spray or tablets, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate. These are commonly used for angina (chest pain). Combining sildenafil with nitrates causes a dangerous and potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure. If you are unsure whether any of your medicines are nitrates, ask your pharmacist before taking Viagra Connect.

Common Side Effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 men)

• Headache - the most commonly reported side effect
• Flushing (warmth or redness in the face, neck, or chest)
• Indigestion or stomach discomfort
• Nasal congestion or runny nose
• Visual disturbances including mild and temporary colour tinting of vision (often described as a blue tint), blurred vision, or increased sensitivity to light
• Dizziness

Less Common but Important Side Effects

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Stop taking sildenafil immediately and seek urgent medical attention if this occurs.
• Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness. Seek urgent medical attention.
• Prolonged or painful erection (priapism) lasting more than four hours. This requires urgent medical attention as it can cause lasting damage if not treated promptly.
• Low blood pressure, particularly when standing up, especially in combination with alpha blocker medicines.

• Nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate): absolute contraindication. Do not combine under any circumstances.
• Alpha-blockers (tamsulosin, doxazosin, prazosin): used for prostate conditions or high blood pressure. Can cause a significant drop in blood pressure when combined with sildenafil. If you take an alpha blocker, you must discuss with your GP or pharmacist before taking Viagra Connect.
• Ritonavir and other HIV protease inhibitors: significantly increase sildenafil blood levels. Do not take together without medical advice.
• Ketoconazole and itraconazole (antifungal medicines): increase sildenafil levels. Use with caution.
• Other PDE5 inhibitors (tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil): do not take with Viagra Connect.
• Recreational drugs containing nitrates (poppers such as amyl nitrite): absolutely contraindicated with sildenafil.

Suitable For

• Men aged 18 to 64 with erectile dysfunction who have no contraindications
• Men who do not take nitrate medicines or alpha blockers (or who have discussed alpha blocker use with a pharmacist)
• Men without significant cardiovascular disease, liver disease, or low blood pressure

Do Not Take If You

• Take nitrate medicines in any form - including GTN spray, GTN patches, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, or any nitrate-containing product. This is an absolute contraindication.
• Use recreational nitrate drugs (poppers).
• Are aged 65 or over. Men aged 65 and over must obtain sildenafil on prescription, as closer medical supervision is required.
• Have been told by a doctor that sexual activity is inadvisable for you (for example, following a recent heart attack or stroke, or if you have unstable angina).
• Have severe liver disease, severely reduced kidney function, or low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Have a condition that can cause priapism (such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia).
• Have a known allergy to sildenafil or any ingredient in the tablet.

Speak to a GP Before Use If You

• Take an alpha blocker medicine for prostate problems or high blood pressure
• Have had a heart attack, stroke, or serious heart condition within the past six months
• Have inherited eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa
• Have a deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease)

Viagra Connect is a Pharmacy Medicine and does not require a prescription, but a pharmacist consultation is required before it can be supplied. At Pharmacy Planet, this consultation takes place as part of the ordering process. You will be asked a series of questions to confirm that Viagra Connect is safe and appropriate for you.

The consultation checks for contraindications including nitrate use, relevant cardiovascular conditions, age eligibility, and other safety factors. This is a regulatory requirement set by the MHRA and GPhC and exists to protect your safety. It is not a barrier to access - it is a safety check that takes only a few minutes.

If the consultation confirms that Viagra Connect is appropriate for you, your order will be processed and dispatched. If any concerns arise, our pharmacists will advise you on the most appropriate next step, which may include speaking to your GP about prescription options.

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep in the original blister packaging until use.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
• Dispose of unused tablets responsibly. Do not flush down the toilet or drain. Return to a pharmacy for disposal.
• Full storage instructions are provided on the packaging and in the patient information leaflet.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy providing access to Pharmacy Medicines including Viagra Connect through a safe, discreet, and straightforward consultation process. We are committed to patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Our pharmacist consultation for Viagra Connect is thorough and confidential. We check all relevant safety criteria before supply and our team is available to answer any questions about the medicine or the ordering process. All orders are dispatched in plain, discreet packaging.

For men who may need prescription sildenafil in a different strength, or who are aged 65 and over, we can also discuss prescription options through our online consultation service.

References

1. Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC). Viagra Connect 50mg film-coated tablets — Summary of Product Characteristics. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc. Accessed May 2026.
2. NHS. Erectile dysfunction (impotence). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction. Accessed May 2026.
3. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Viagra Connect: reclassification to pharmacy medicine. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/viagra-connect. Accessed May 2026.
4. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (BNF). Sildenafil. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.