Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of
In 2005, the FDA approved sildenafil under the brand name Revatio® for treating pulmonary arterial hypertension — more on this later. Pfizer’s patent on Viagra expired in 2012 for countries outside the U.S., allowing other brands to produce and market their own generic Viagra medications containing sildenafil. Although Pfizer challenged the expired patent in the United States, sildenafil has since become widely available as a generic medication manufactured and marketed by various companies. Viagra is brand-name sildenafil that’s FDA-approved for ED, and what is the active ingredient in Viagra? But we suspect the question you really want to ask is whether one is made better, or safer — is generic sildenafil as good as Viagra for treating ED?
Although some manufacturers may use their own brand name, most generic sildenafil products are labeled simply as “sildenafil.” Regardless, they do the same thing, offer the same benefits, and have the same risk of side effects. While a single tablet of Viagra is priced as high as $70 in the United States, generic drugs like sildenafil tablets are available for as little as $3 each when purchased online. Even though the active ingredients are the same, if you’re switching from Pfizer’s brand-name Viagra to a generic form of sildenafil, it’s important to check that you’re purchasing tablets with a similar dosage to the one your healthcare provider prescribed. Sildenafil may also be sold under different brand names in other countries. Some of these Viagra generic names include: When it comes to drugs like Figral, Mazzogran, and Fildena vs.
Viagra, they are all used for the same purpose: increasing blood flow to the penis. Their labels also state that these products contain sildenafil, so Mazzogran sildenafil 100mg should be equivalent to brand-name Viagra 100mg. However, because these drugs have not been made in the U.S. and cleared by the FDA, it may be harder to assess the quality of their ingredients. Each country has its own set of regulations, and there’s always the chance the product you’re getting is not authentic if you buy it online from an international retailer. Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University -
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 170.79€ 162.66€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 105.03€ 100.03€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 180 + 6 Pills | 436.79€ 415.99€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 839.95€ 799.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 326.61€ 311.06€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 107.37€ 102.26€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 96.36€ 91.77€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 330.74€ 314.99€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 10 Pills | 25.19€ 23.99€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 12 Pills | 57.55€ 54.81€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 270 + 8 Pills | 184.26€ 175.49€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 236.46€ 225.20€ |
Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management.
Schedule a call with a healthcare professional today. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors as a treatment for erectile dysfunction: Current information and new horizons. Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Historical Treatments With a Focus on the Development of the Inflatable Penile Prosthesis. Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr.
Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care. She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare. Dr. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Dosage | Form | Packaging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil Basic | PharmaCorp Ltd. | 5 mg | Tablets | Blister pack (30) |
| EzSildenafil | MedsPlus Inc. | 5 mg | Tablets | Bottle (60) |
| Pure Sildenafil | HealthPharma | 5 mg | Oral Tabs | Pack of 90 |
| QuickRelease | FastMed Ltd. | 5 mg | Tablets | Blister (20) |
focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement.
| Drug Category | Interaction Type | Description | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrates | Dangerous | Can cause severe hypotension when combined | Avoid concurrent use |
| Alpha blockers | Moderate | May enhance blood pressure lowering effects | Dose adjustments needed |
| CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) | Increased levels | May increase Sildenafil concentration | Adjust dosage accordingly |
| Other PDE5 inhibitors | Synergistic | Increased risk of side effects | Not recommended to combine |
Dr.
If you’re in the U.S. and looking for a cheaper alternative to Viagra, it’s best sildenafil pills to stick with FDA-approved sildenafil. Viagra comes in three dosages: 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. Sildenafil pills similarly come in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets. However, sildenafil can also come in 20mg when it is sold as the generic version of Revatio.
Revatio is FDA-approved to treat a type of high blood pressure in the lungs (called pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH), but it can be prescribed off-label for ED.So, is sildenafil 20mg the same as Viagra 25mg? While each tablet of generic Revatio is 20mg, when used for ED, you could be prescribed multiple tablets at once, making 40mg, 60mg, 80mg, and 100mg doses possible. Learn more about the difference between Revatio and Viagra on our blog. Sildenafil is also available in the United States as a liquid solution. Your healthcare provider will tell you the specific dosage of brand-name Viagra or generic sildenafil that you should use if you’re prescribed this medication.
Since brand-name Viagra tablets and generic sildenafil both contain sildenafil, you can expect identical results from a 25mg-100mg dose of Viagra (the typical doses used for erectile dysfunction) as you can the same dose of generic sildenafil. Both Viagra and sildenafil work best when taken at least 30 minutes to an hour before sexual activity (and no more than four hours beforehand). You can take Viagra or generic sildenafil with or without food, but should avoid taking either with a high-fat meal, as it can make both medications take longer to take effect in your body. If you don’t experience any improvement in your erectile function after using Viagra or generic sildenafil, don’t simply take more of this medication. Instead, let your healthcare provider know — they may recommend adjusting your dosage or trying a different ED medication. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of
Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability
to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician.
Although sildenafil works similarly to other PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil (Levitra), the two have different dosages. Vardenafil, for example, uses a lower dose, although not necessarily stronger than Viagra. Since brand-name Viagra and generic sildenafil contain sildenafil and come in the same range of dosages, both medications can cause the same range of side effects. We’ve divided the side effects into two groups: common and rare. We’ve also included a note about serious drug interaction risks that you should seek to avoid and alert your healthcare provider to before taking sildenafil.
Common side effects of Viagra and generic sildenafil include: Changes in your perception of color, such as a visible blue tinge or difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green Changes in your perception of color, such as a visible blue tinge or difficulty telling the difference between the colors blue and green Most of these side effects resolve on their own as the medication leaves your body. In rare cases, Viagra and generic sildenafil may cause serious side effects, such as: Priapism (a persistent, often painful erection lasting longer than four hours) Priapism (a persistent, often painful erection lasting longer than four hours) Lightheadedness and dizziness (typically brought on by low blood pressure when combined with other medications) Lightheadedness and dizziness (typically brought on by low blood pressure when combined with other medications) If you experience any of these severe side effects, seek medical attention immediately. Both Viagra and generic sildenafil can interact with other medications, including alpha-blockers, nitrates, and other medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, and other cardiovascular health issues. As such, you’ll want to tell your healthcare provider if you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, or if you’ve had previous heart issues like angina, chest pain, or a heart attack. Our complete guide to Viagra (sildenafil) side effects discusses the side effects and interactions listed above in more detail.
Minor differences in packaging and pill appearance aside, brand-name Viagra and its generic counterpart, sildenafil, are exactly the same medication. If you have erectile dysfunction, both medications should produce a noticeable boost to your sex life by improving your erections and sexual performance. The key difference, as we mentioned above, is price. While Viagra is relatively expensive, you can purchase generic sildenafil tablets at a much more affordable price. In addition to sildenafil and Viagra, Hims offers access to other proven ED medications online including: Tadalafil (Cialis®): Tadalafil (Cialis) can provide relief from erectile dysfunction for up to 36 hours per dose Tadalafil (Cialis®): Tadalafil (Cialis) can provide relief from erectile dysfunction for up to 36 hours per dose Vardenafil (Levitra®): Vardenafil (Levitra): Offers relief from ED for slightly longer than sildenafil Vardenafil (Levitra®): Vardenafil (Levitra): Offers relief from ED for slightly longer than sildenafil Chewable ED meds: Hard Mints come in sildenafil premature ejaculation discreet packaging and are made with similar ingredients to Viagra® and Cialis® at different dosages Chewable ED meds: Hard Mints come in discreet packaging and are made with similar ingredients to Viagra® and Cialis® at different dosages You can learn more about these medications in our complete guide to the best pills for treating erectile dysfunction or access FDA-approved ED medications with Hims online.