- Active ingredient
- Sildenafil
- Strengths
- 50mg and 100mg
- How you get it
- Online prescription
- Typical cost
- From £29.99 a month at Curate
Sexual Health at Curate
Viagra and sildenafil, explained.
Viagra is Pfizer's brand name for sildenafil. The generic version contains the same active ingredient, is licensed to the same standard, and costs considerably less — prescribed online by named UK clinicians.
- UK-registered clinicians
- GPhC-registered pharmacy
- CQC-regulated service
Viagra, sildenafil and Viagra Connect — what's the difference?
All three contain sildenafil, a treatment for erectile dysfunction with over two decades of clinical use. It works by blocking the enzyme PDE5, increasing blood flow when you're aroused.
Viagra is the original branded version. Generic sildenafil is the same active ingredient at the same strengths, made by other licensed manufacturers since the patent expired — which is why it costs a fraction of the branded price. Viagra Connect is a lower-strength (50mg) version sold in pharmacies without a prescription, at a higher per-tablet price than prescribed generic sildenafil.
Compare
Side by side
Generic sildenafilViagra (branded)Viagra Connect
Active ingredientSildenafilSildenafilSildenafil
Strengths50mg and 100mg25mg, 50mg and 100mg50mg only
How you get itOnline prescriptionOnline or GP prescriptionOver the counter
Typical costFrom £29.99 a month at CurateSubstantially higherHigher per tablet
- Active ingredient
- Sildenafil
- Strengths
- 25mg, 50mg and 100mg
- How you get it
- Online or GP prescription
- Typical cost
- Substantially higher
- Active ingredient
- Sildenafil
- Strengths
- 50mg only
- How you get it
- Over the counter
- Typical cost
- Higher per tablet
Generic medicines are licensed by the MHRA to the same standards of quality and performance as the original brand.
Transparent pricing
Sildenafil price at Curate
A one-off price, not a subscription. Buy a single lot or stock up — one, two or three months' worth at a time. You pay when you order; if a clinician decides treatment isn't right for you, you're refunded in full.
Sildenafil is taken as needed, not daily. Your clinician confirms the right strength for you.
| Strength | 1 month's worth | 2 months' worth | 3 months' worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50mg | £29.99 | £59.98 | £89.97 |
| 100mg | £34.99 | £69.98 | £104.97 |
How prescribing works
Erectile dysfunction is common and treatable, and the consultation is discreet: an online assessment reviewed by a named UK clinician, with delivery in plain packaging. Because sildenafil interacts with some medicines and conditions — particularly nitrates and cardiovascular disease — the clinical check matters.
Read the full treatment page: sildenafil at Curate. If you're after a longer-acting option, see
tadalafil — the active ingredient in Cialis, with effects lasting up to 36 hours.
It's common, and it's treatable
A confidential consultation with no waiting room. Reviewed by a named UK clinician, delivered discreetly.
Questions
Viagra and sildenafil, answered.
Is generic sildenafil as good as Viagra?
It contains the same active ingredient at the same strengths, and generic medicines are licensed by the MHRA to the same standards of quality and performance as the original brand. The main practical difference is price.
Do I need a prescription for Viagra in the UK?
For branded Viagra and for generic sildenafil, yes — a clinician has to assess you first, which at Curate happens through a confidential online consultation. Viagra Connect (50mg) can be bought over the counter after a pharmacist's questions, but costs more per tablet than prescribed generic sildenafil.
How quickly does sildenafil work?
Most patients find it takes effect within 30 to 60 minutes, works best on an empty stomach, and lasts around four hours. It only works with arousal — it doesn't cause an erection on its own.
Is it safe to buy Viagra online?
It is when the pharmacy is regulated. Check for a GPhC registration number and a genuine clinical assessment. Unregulated sellers are a real risk with this medicine — counterfeit tablets are common outside the licensed supply chain.
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Can you buy sildenafil over the counter in the UK?
Standard sildenafil needs a prescription in the UK, but a 50mg pharmacy version can be supplied after a pharmacist consultation. How the routes differ and how to stay safe.
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Can women take sildenafil?
Sildenafil is licensed in the UK for erectile dysfunction in men, not for sexual problems in women. What the research found, why the biology differs, and what actually helps.
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How long does sildenafil take to work?
Sildenafil typically works within 30 to 60 minutes, but food, timing and technique change everything. How to give the tablet its best chance.