Learn more about the over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medicine now available to buy in store at Boots*
Viagra Connect is a medicine for adult men living with erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, as it’s sometimes called. Viagra Connect is the first erectile dysfunction medicine in Ireland to be sold without the need for a prescription, which means you can buy Viagra Connect discreetly in store without the need to make an appointment with your GP.*
How does Viagra Connect work?
Viagra Connect contains 50mg sildenafil which relaxes blood vessels to help increase blood flow to the penis. By doing so, this can help a man get and maintain a hard enough erection for sex once he has been sexually aroused. It will not give you an instant erection and can take between 30 minutes to an hour to work.
Who is Viagra Connect suitable for?
Viagra Connect is for men aged 18 or over who have erectile dysfunction symptoms. It’s for men who are fit enough to have sex, but unable to get or keep an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. However, it may not be right for everyone. We’ll check if Viagra Connect is suitable by asking you a few questions in store related to your health and any medication you may be taking.
Viagra Connect is not suitable for:
• Men under the age of 18
• Men who do not have erectile dysfunction
• Women
Viagra Connect may also not be suitable for men living with certain health problems (such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver problems or severe kidney problems) or men taking certain medication (such as those containing nitrates or ‘alpha-blockers’ used to treat an enlarged prostate) or sexually active men looking to improve their performance or sex drive. For a complete list of who Viagra Connect isn’t suitable for, please read the patient information leaflet or speak to a pharmacist in store.
Viagra Connect will be sold at the professional discretion of a Boots pharmacist. We’ll only complete in-store transactions once the pharmacist has checked it’s safe and suitable for you to use. If Viagra Connect isn’t right for you, we’ll recommend other options to get you the help you need.
How can I buy Viagra Connect?
You can buy Viagra Connect at your local Boots store.* Simply head to the pharmacy counter and ask for Viagra Connect, or you can ask to speak to the pharmacist in private. The pharmacist will ask you a series of general health questions (such as the names of any medicines you may be taking or any medical conditions you may have), and you will be asked to confirm that you have erectile dysfunction symptoms in order to check that Viagra Connect is right for you. It shouldn’t take much more than five minutes. If Viagra Connect is right for you, you’ll be advised on how to use it and be given a tear-off slip which you can use the next time you want to buy Viagra Connect in store. The tear-off slip may make it quicker to buy more Viagra Connect, but we’ll still ask you some questions to make sure the medication is still right for you.
Does my GP need to know I'm using Viagra Connect?
If Viagra Connect is suitable for you, we recommend you speak to your GP within six months of getting your first supply. Erectile dysfunction can be a sign of underlying health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, so it’s important that your GP can check you over. Your GP will also need to know you are taking Viagra Connect to make sure any new medication they prescribe for you is safe to use alongside Viagra Connect.
Are there any side effects when using Viagra Connect?
All medicines have side effects and people may experience these to varying degrees. Side effects that you may experience when taking Viagra Connect include:
• Headaches
• Hot flushes
• Dizziness
• A blocked nose
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• An upset stomach
• Changes to your vision
For a full list of side effects please read the patient information leaflet. If you get any side effects, talk to your GP or pharmacist.
When should I take Viagra Connect?
Take one Viagra Connect 50mg tablet with water. It’s recommended that you take Viagra Connect approximately one hour before sex. It will only work with sexual stimulation. Your erection will subside after you’ve had sex. If you do have a constant and painful erection that lasts for over four hours, please seek urgent medical help. Remember, you can only take one 50mg tablet per day. To get the most out of Viagra Connect, consider:
• Getting in the mood – take part in foreplay with your partner to help you become sexually aroused
• Take your time – there’s no need to rush, Viagra Connect will still work up to four hours after you take it
• Watch what you eat and drink – Viagra Connect can be taken with food, but avoid high fat meals, like pizza, which can delay how quickly the drug works. Drinking excessive alcohol can reduce your ability to get an erection, so it’s advisable to avoid large amounts of alcohol before sex
LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH
Ways to help quit smoking
We can help you extinguish that habit for good
How to prevent diabetes
Nine ways to help keep type 2 diabetes at bay
The benefits of exercise
Working up a sweat has far more to offer than just keeping you fitting into your favourite pair of jeans
