Known as the “little blue pill,” Viagra®, which contains the active ingredient sildenafil citrate, is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments on the market.
Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor. It works by expanding the blood vessels that supply your penis and keeping blood flowing to where you need it most when you’re in the mood for sex.
Since Viagra works in about 30 to 60 minutes, if you’re prone to ED, you can take Viagra shortly before sexual activity to improve your confidence and performance.
Both Viagra and generic sildenafil are more affordable than many people think. In fact, with the right approach, you can access the benefits of Viagra’s active ingredient for just a few dollars a dose.
Below, we’ve talked about how Viagra pricing works and the differences in out-of-pocket pricing between the brand-name version of Viagra and sildenafil (generic Viagra).
We’ve also explained the other costs that go into a pack of Viagra, from a healthcare provider’s visit to insurance and more.
Finally, we’ve shared a few tips that you can use to get the best pricing for Viagra and other ED medications.
The price of Viagra can vary based on your location, your insurance status, and the pharmacy where you buy it.
Since Viagra and generic sildenafil come in different dosages, prices can also vary based on the dosage of medication you’re prescribed.
Depending on how often you have sex and the dose you need, the cost of using brand-name Viagra might range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more a month.
Generic sildenafil is a significantly better value, costing anywhere from $20 to $100 per month.
Currently, we offer brand-name Viagra 50mg from $555 for 30 days (four doses) and generic sildenafil from $16 for a 30-day supply (also four doses).
As a brand-name medication, Viagra is much more expensive per tablet than generic sildenafil.
Just how much is a Viagra pill? Viagra 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg are available at most pharmacies, including CVS, Kroger, Rite Aid, Walmart Pharmacy and Walgreens. They’re roughly $65 to $140 (or more) per tablet.
Viatris, the company that manufactures and markets Viagra, offers a Viagra Savings Card some patients can use to get a discount on the brand-name drug Viagra.
How much is Viagra if you use a generic version? Generic sildenafil works in exactly the same way as Viagra to increase blood flow to the penis so you can get and maintain erections.
But because it’s a generic medication, it costs much less per tablet than brand-name Viagra tablet prices:
Sildenafil 25mg is available from $4 a tablet ($16 per 30 days for four tablets).
Sildenafil 50mg is available from $6 a tablet ($24 per 30 days for four tablets).
Sildenafil 100mg is available from $10 a tablet ($40 per 30 days for four tablets).
Like brand-name Viagra, we offer sildenafil online, following a consultation with a healthcare provider who’ll determine if a prescription is appropriate.
We also offer chewable, mint-flavored tablets containing sildenafil and other FDA-approved active ingredients for treating ED.
Prices range from just over $1 a dose for generic Cialis® (tadalafil) to $135 a dose for chewable brand-name Viagra.
You can get a prescription for chewable ED meds following an online consultation with a licensed healthcare provider.
The generic sildenafil sold in the United States provides exactly the same effects as brand-name Viagra and is equally safe to use.
Per FDA guidelines, all generic medications are required by law to be exactly the same as their brand-name equivalents in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability, and quality.
And still, generic sildenafil is much, much more affordable than Viagra.
Why is there such a huge difference in price between the branded medication sold as Viagra and its generic counterpart?
The pharmaceutical company Pfizer used to own the patent for sildenafil. This patent gave Pfizer an exclusive right to produce and market sildenafil as Viagra. In 2020, the patent expired, which opened the door for the sale of generic Viagra.
Today, it’s legal for other companies to produce and sell sildenafil under their own brand names, packaging, and pricing.
Interestingly, Viagra has bucked a long-running trend that’s usually associated with medications that go generic. Usually, when a medication becomes widely available in generic form, the price of the brand-name medication is reduced to make it more competitive.
With Viagra, prices for the brand-name medication have stayed consistent, even after the arrival of cheap generics.
In other words, if you prefer brand-name Viagra, you’re going to pay Viagra prices. But if you’re a guy focused on getting the job done without sacrificing value, generic sildenafil will definitely be your huckleberry.
In general, it’s best not to compare different ED medications too directly when it comes to value for money. This is because each medication offers unique advantages, such as a certain level of convenience, duration of action, or risk of side effects.
However, to put the above prices in perspective, we’ll compare the cost of Viagra and generic sildenafil to other prescription drugs for ED, like Cialis, Levitra® (vardenafil), and Stendra® (avanafil).
Cialis comes as an as-needed or daily medication, with prices ranging from $22 to $140 per tablet. Tadalafil, generic for Cialis, is available at many pharmacies from $2 to $10 a pill.
Levitra is available from $60 a tablet, with generic vardenafil at $7 to $15 per pill.
Stendra is available from many pharmacies for $60 to $80 a tablet. We offer Stendra from $236 a month (four tablets of 100mg). Currently, no generic version of Stendra is available in the U.S.
Since Viagra is a prescription medication, you’ll need to factor in the price of talking with a healthcare professional before you can buy it.
The cost of seeing a licensed healthcare provider may vary based on your location, insurance plan, and other factors. You can visit your primary care provider or talk to a men’s reproductive health specialist, such as a urologist.
A more affordable option is to talk to a licensed healthcare provider online about treating erectile dysfunction with Viagra or similar meds.
Beyond the cost of seeing a healthcare provider, you’ll also want to consider:
Insurance status. Since Viagra requires a prescription, your insurance provider might cover some or all of the cost. Check your insurance coverage to see what’s included with your plan.
Drug authenticity. Ever get those “cheap overseas Viagra” emails? Viagra is one of the most commonly counterfeited medications in the world, meaning if you find a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Keep yourself safe (even if it means spending a few cents extra) by only buying Viagra or generic sildenafil from a reliable pharmacy or online healthcare provider.
With the right approach, you can substantially reduce how much you spend on Viagra, sildenafil, or other prescription ED treatments.
Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck on Viagra prices:
Stick to generic. You’ll always save money by choosing the generic drug. The generic version of Viagra is just as effective as the brand-name medication and a whole lot cheaper.
Consider buying in bulk. Some pharmacies may offer lower prices when you buy larger quantities of medication. But check the expiration date and avoid buying more Viagra than you plan to use before it expires.
Avoid non-prescription “Viagra alternatives.” These dietary supplements might look similar to prescription ED treatments, but they’re made using ineffective ingredients and sometimes contain hidden substances that could be harmful.
Check your insurance coverage. Insurance coverage for brand-name Viagra can vary among providers and plans. However, many insurance companies do cover generic ED drugs.
Use patient assistance programs (PAPs). Some drug companies offer financial assistance for eligible patients.
Look for Viagra coupons. Some pharmacies have coupons and promotional discounts for Viagra, generic sildenafil, and other ED treatments. Check with your local pharmacy to see what’s available.
Use telehealth to your advantage. Finally, consider buying Viagra online. With our telehealth services, you can access Viagra, sildenafil, and other ED meds online with affordable pricing and discreet home delivery.
Viagra is a safe and effective medication for most men.
But there are a few things to know before using it, whether you choose brand-name Viagra or more affordable generic sildenafil:
Viagra can cause adverse effects. Common side effects of Viagra include headaches, flushing, dyspepsia (indigestion), vision changes, nasal congestion, dizziness, rash, and back or muscle pain. If you experience side effects after taking Viagra, let your provider know ASAP.
Viagra can interact with other drugs. When used with nitrates and certain other heart health and high blood pressure medications or recreational drugs, Viagra could cause changes in blood pressure levels. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re currently taking any other meds.
Some medical conditions might make Viagra unsafe. If you’ve previously had a heart attack or stroke, or if you have non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), using Viagra might not be a safe choice.
Our guides to Viagra side effects and Viagra safety go into greater detail about what you should know before using Viagra or any medication to treat ED.
Viagra prices can vary significantly based on where you live, your healthcare provider, and your choice of brand-name Viagra or generic sildenafil.
Here’s what to remember about Viagra prices:
Brand-name Viagra is more expensive than generic sildenafil. In general, you can expect to pay $65 to $140 per tablet for brand-name Viagra and $4 to $10 per tablet for sildenafil.
ED meds might be covered by insurance. Depending on your health insurance provider and plan, some or all of this cost could be covered.
There are programs and discounts to make ED drugs more affordable. Sticking to generics, using coupons, and joining a patient assistance program can make Viagra and other ED drugs more affordable.
Worried you might have ED and want to try Viagra? Explore your options with our online ED consultation.
You can also see our guide on what to expect from ED medication before taking the next step.
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