Does generic Viagra work just like regular Viagra?
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 7, 2025.
Viagra is the brand name for a medicine known as sildenafil which has been proven to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The generic drug contains the same active ingredient as the branded drug, in this case sildenafil citrate, and is therapeutically equivalent to the branded medicine Viagra.
The main difference between a branded and a generic product is mainly price, with the generic usually being cheaper.
More about Viagra:
Viagra is in a class of impotence drugs known as the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and was the first approved to treat ED. Viagra causes an erection by increasing blood flow to the penis in response to sexual stimulation. Arousal allows the muscles in and around the penis to relax and results in greater blood flow. Viagra does not result in an erection without sexual stimulation. Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors treat ED, but do not directly increase a man's sexual desire. However, knowing that one can perform better in bed may indirectly boost libido.
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Can you take Viagra with high blood pressure?
You can take Viagra (sildenafil) if you have high blood pressure that is controlled by blood pressure medications. Caution is warranted in some cases. You should tell your doctor if you have high or low blood pressure before starting Viagra. Continue reading
How long does Viagra last and how soon does it work?
It takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour for Viagra (sildenafil) to start working, and the effects will last for about 4 hours. Continue reading
Can women take Viagra?
Viagra (sildenafil) is approved to treat sexual dysfunction in men by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but it is sometimes prescribed to women off-label, which means without approval by the FDA. Viagra is an effective drug for treating male erectile dysfunction, but it targets sexual performance, not sexual arousal. There is limited evidence that Viagra may be beneficial for women with sexual dysfunction, but the trials have been small and the results inconsistent.
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Drug information
- Viagra Information for Consumers
- Viagra prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Viagra (detailed)
- Viagra user reviews (256)
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