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Sildenafil Price: Why Generic Sildenafil Costs Less Than Viagra
Why generic sildenafil costs less than brand Viagra, what changes the sildenafil price from pack to pack, and how to compare cost per dose safely.
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If you have been prescribed sildenafil for erectile dysfunction (ED), the sildenafil price is likely one of your first questions. The good news is that generic sildenafil contains the same active ingredient as the brand-name tablet, and it usually costs much less.
This guide explains why generics cost less than the brand, what changes the price from one product to the next, and how to think about cost per dose without cutting corners on safety. If you want the full step-by-step buying guide, see our article on how to buy sildenafil online. Here we focus on price.
Key takeaways
- Generic sildenafil has the same active ingredient as Viagra, which is why it can cost much less than the Viagra price.
- The sildenafil price depends mainly on strength, pack size, brand vs generic, form (tablet or oral jelly) and delivery.
- Think in cost per dose at your prescribed strength, not just the cost per pack.
- Never split or double doses without your prescriber’s advice, and take it no more than once a day.
- Never take sildenafil with nitrates or riociguat.
- A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine.
What is sildenafil and what is it used for?
Sildenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor. It relaxes the blood vessels in the penis so more blood can flow in when you are sexually aroused. It is best known as the active ingredient in Viagra, and it is used to treat ED in adult men.
Sildenafil does not increase sex drive and does not cause an erection by itself. Sexual arousal is still needed. For how long a dose lasts, see our guide on how long sildenafil lasts.
How to take sildenafil
Sildenafil is taken “on demand”, usually about 1 hour before sex. It can start working from around 30 minutes, and the effect lasts about 4 hours. A heavy or high-fat meal can slow it down.
Standard strengths are 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg. Doctors often start at 50 mg and then adjust. Some people, such as older men or those taking certain other medicines, may start at 25 mg. The maximum is one dose in 24 hours. Your doctor will decide the right strength for you.
Safety: who should not take sildenafil
Do not take sildenafil if you:
- Use any nitrate medicine for chest pain (such as GTN sprays or isosorbide), or use “poppers”.
- Take riociguat for lung blood pressure conditions.
- Have had a recent heart attack or stroke, or have severe heart disease.
- Have very low blood pressure.
- Have had sudden vision loss from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, or have an inherited eye condition such as retinitis pigmentosa.
Interactions
Take care with alpha-blockers (used for blood pressure or prostate symptoms). Together with sildenafil they can lower blood pressure and cause dizziness, so your doctor may start you on a low dose. Some HIV medicines, antifungals and antibiotics can raise sildenafil levels. Avoid grapefruit juice, which can have a similar effect, and keep alcohol low. Do not combine sildenafil with other ED medicines.
Side effects
Common side effects include headache, flushing, indigestion, a blocked nose, dizziness and short-lived changes in vision, such as a blue tinge. These usually pass as the medicine wears off.
Get urgent medical help if you have chest pain, an erection lasting more than 4 hours, sudden loss of vision or hearing, or signs of an allergic reaction. If you have chest pain, tell the medical team you have taken sildenafil.
Sildenafil price: why generic costs less
When a brand-name medicine is first sold, its maker covers the cost of years of research, trials and marketing through the price. Once the patent ends, other makers can produce the same active ingredient without repeating that early research. More makers means more competition, and that pushes the price down.
Generic sildenafil contains the same active ingredient, at the same strength, as the brand. The tablet may look different and use different inactive ingredients, but the medicine that does the work is the same. That is the main reason the generic sildenafil price is usually far lower than the Viagra price. For a fuller comparison, read our article on generic Viagra vs Viagra.
What affects the sildenafil price?
Two packs of sildenafil can cost very different amounts. These are the main reasons:
| Factor | How it changes the price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Strength (25, 50 or 100 mg) | Higher strengths may cost a little more per tablet, but the difference is often small. | The strength matches your prescription exactly. |
| Pack size | Larger packs usually lower the cost per tablet. | How many doses your prescription covers and how often you use it. |
| Brand vs generic | Generic sildenafil avoids brand-name costs, so it is usually much cheaper than the Viagra price. | The same active ingredient (sildenafil citrate) and strength. |
| Tablet vs oral jelly | Oral jelly sachets can cost more per dose than plain tablets. | Whether your doctor is happy with the form, and that the dose per sachet matches your prescription. |
| Delivery | Shipping method and destination change the total cost. | Delivery time and tracking to your country. |
Thinking about cost per dose
The most useful way to compare the sildenafil price is cost per dose at your prescribed strength. To work it out, divide the pack cost by the number of tablets (or sachets) in it. Then compare like with like: the same strength and the same form.
A few points to keep in mind:
- Do not split tablets to save money unless your prescriber says so. Some tablets are not designed to be split evenly, and an uneven split can give you too much or too little.
- Do not double up. Taking two tablets, or a higher strength than prescribed, will not work better and raises the risk of side effects.
- Once a day at most. Even if a dose does not seem to work, do not take another within 24 hours.
- Buy for your real use. A large pack only saves money if you will use it before it expires.
Our sildenafil products
We stock several generic sildenafil options. Browse them all in our men’s health category, or start with these:
- Bawree-100 – generic sildenafil 100 mg tablets.
- Cenforce 100 – sildenafil citrate 100 mg tablets.
- Kamagra Oral Jelly – sildenafil 100 mg in an oral jelly sachet, for people who find tablets hard to swallow.
These are 100 mg products. If your doctor has prescribed 25 mg or 50 mg, choose a product at that strength rather than cutting a 100 mg tablet, unless your prescriber has told you otherwise.
How to buy generic sildenafil online safely
- Get a valid prescription. See your doctor first. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine.
- Check the strength. Make sure the product strength matches your prescription exactly.
- Check the pack and quantity. Look at how many tablets or sachets come in each pack and work out the cost per dose.
- Plan for delivery. Orders are shipped worldwide by EMS or registered mail in discreet packaging. Order ahead so you do not run out. See how to order.
- Tell your doctor. Let them know which generic you are using and report any side effects.
For a general walk-through on how to buy medicine online safely, read our guide to buying generic medicines online. Questions about an order? Contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Viagra price higher than generic sildenafil?
The brand price reflects research, trial and marketing costs from when the medicine was new. Generic makers do not repeat that early research, and competition between them keeps the sildenafil price lower.
Is generic sildenafil as effective as the brand?
Generic sildenafil contains the same active ingredient at the same strength, so it is expected to work in the same way. Speak to your doctor if you notice any difference.
Is a 100 mg tablet better value than a 50 mg tablet?
Only if 100 mg is the dose your doctor has prescribed. Do not choose a strength for price reasons. If you have been prescribed 50 mg, buy 50 mg.
Does oral jelly work differently?
Oral jelly contains the same active ingredient. Some people find it easier to take than a tablet. It may cost more per dose, and you should still take only one dose in 24 hours.
Can I take sildenafil every day?
You can take it up to once a day if needed, but not more often. If you feel you need treatment every day, ask your doctor whether a different plan, such as daily low-dose tadalafil, would suit you better.
Can I eat grapefruit while taking sildenafil?
It is best to avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as they can raise the level of sildenafil in your blood and increase side effects.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Read our full medical disclaimer.
Medicines mentioned in this guide
All medicines are supplied only against a valid prescription. Prices shown are for the smallest pack.
About this guide
Written by the rxptteam8. We base our guides on official sources such as the NHS, the US FDA, the EMA and MedlinePlus, and we update them when guidance changes. Last updated .