Men in the UK will soon be able to buy Viagra over the counter for the first time after the erectile dysfunction drug was reclassified.
Those aged 18 and over will no longer need to see a GP for a prescription after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it is changing the status of Viagra Connect tablets so they can be sold in pharmacies following a conversation with a pharmacist.
US pharmaceutical company Pfizer said it is working on plans to launch the non-prescription version of the medicine in the UK in the spring of 2018. A four-pack of the sildenafil tablets will cost around £19.99 and an eight-pack £34.99. Men who buy it will be advised that they can take a 50 mg tablet an hour before having sex, but should not use more than one pill a day. Sildenafil is already available on NHS prescription free of charge.
The decision to reclassify the drug follows a public consultation, the MHRA said. Pharmacists will be able to determine whether treatment is appropriate for the patient and can give advice on erectile dysfunction, usage of the medicine, potential side effects and assess if further consultation with a general practitioner is required.
“The move to make Viagra Connect more widely accessible will encourage men to seek help within the healthcare system and increase awareness of erectile dysfunction.”
Mick Foy, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
But some men, including those with severe heart problems, those at high risk of heart problems, liver failure, kidney failure or those taking certain “interacting medicines”, will still need to be prescribed the drug under the supervision of a doctor.
It is hoped that making the drug more widely available will mean than men who may have not previously sought help will be more likely to do so. Health officials also hope the move will also help steer people away from buying drugs websites operating illegally.
The MHRA said that erectile dysfunction medicines are a “popular target” for criminals selling unlicensed and counterfeit medicines, over the past five years the Agency has seized more than £50m of unlicensed and counterfeit erectile dysfunction medicines.
“This decision is good news for men’s health,” said Mick Foy, MHRA’s group manager in vigilance and risk management of medicines. “The move to make Viagra Connect more widely accessible will encourage men to seek help within the healthcare system and increase awareness of erectile dysfunction.
“Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition, so it’s important men feel they have fast access to quality and legitimate care, and do not feel they need to turn to counterfeit online supplies which could have potentially serious side effects.”
Dr Berkeley Phillips, UK medical director at Pfizer, said: “The availability of Viagra Connect in pharmacies from next year will offer men who are eligible for the product a new and convenient way to access sildenafil, a commonly prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction.
“We understand some men may avoid seeking support and treatment for this condition, so we believe giving them the option to talk to a pharmacist and buy Viagra Connect could be a real step forward in encouraging more men into the healthcare system.
“As erectile dysfunction may be a sign of an underlying condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, there could also be a wider benefit to public health in the long term. We hope that this forthcoming new opportunity to purchase a genuine treatment via pharmacy will also reduce the likelihood of men turning to potentially ineffective and dangerous counterfeits from illicit sources.”
Erectile dysfunction is a cause for concernPrx.com, the host of questions and answers, discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and health risks associated with the product, as well as its competitors TLCER/SILDENAFIL and SILDENAFIL, which sell lower-dose versions of the same product, free of prescription required. The group, whichithinglightly sneered at the host as it considered the topic of sale of its sildenafil tablets to be off-limits, condemned the move to the MHRA.
Dr Berkeley Phillips, Pfizer's global medical director, also voiced opposition to the move.
The move came a day after the group said it had intelligence that men who take the popular erectile dysfunction medicine, Viagra, had their blood sugar levels dip below the recommended dose.
This week we will focus on the most common medications that have been taken by millions of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE).
These medications are generally taken orally, meaning they can work on an individual’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection, without ejaculating. They work in the same way that Viagra, the active ingredient in both medications, does, by increasing blood flow to the penis.
One of the most commonly prescribed medications is sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor that was originally developed for the treatment of ED. However, it was later found to increase the blood flow to the penis, allowing men with ED to achieve and maintain an erection for longer.
Sildenafil is one of the most popular medications used for ED and PE. However, like all medications, it also increases the blood flow to the penis, which can make it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection when sexually aroused.
There are also other medications that may be prescribed by your healthcare provider for men with ED or PE. These medications may include tadalafil (Cialis), sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra). Tadalafil was approved by the FDA in 2003 and was used to treat erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
It is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before starting any erectile dysfunction medication. Your doctor can help determine the most appropriate and safe approach for your specific needs. They may also recommend alternative medications or treatments that do not have the side effects of the ED medication.
Other ED medications
Other erectile dysfunction medications, including sildenafil, are not considered safe for long-term use. If you have a history of heart disease, low blood pressure, or a history of stroke, you should not take these medications. You should also talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors (e.g., diabetes, smoking, drinking, or using recreational drugs). Your doctor can also help you understand your medical history.
Some other common medications that are known to increase the risk of side effects include:
You can check with your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications, including over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbal products. This is to ensure that your medications are safe for long-term use.
As with all medications, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take these medications. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider before taking any new medications.
References
1. https://www.drugs.com/products/sildenafil-100-million-users-generic-viagra.htm. Accessed on July 11, 2023.
2. https://www.meds.com/drug-assays/drug-prescriptions/sildenafil-150-millions-generic-viagra-generic-100-percent-filling-reviews/2/3/1.
3. https://www.drugtrials.com/drugs/sildenafil-100-millions-generic-viagra.htm.
4. www.medsafe.com/drugs/sildenafil-100-millions-generic-viagra.htm.
5. www.nhl.nih.gov/drugs/sildenafil/sildenafil-100-millions-generic-viagra.htm.
6. https://www.drugtrials.com/drugs/viagra-25-millions-generic-viagra.htm.
7. www.medsafe.com/drugs/viagra-25-millions-generic-viagra.htm.
8. www.nhl.nih.
Viagra Connect is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that includes difficulty getting or keeping an erection. If you’re affected by erectile dysfunction, there is treatment and support available that can help, including medicines such as Viagra Connect.
If you have a low libido, understanding the cause of this and getting help to increase your libido, may change the way you think and feel about sex. There is support available that may help, including talking to a professional such as a psychologist or counsellor. Your doctor may be able to refer you for counselling, or you can.
Viagra Connect relaxes the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow. This means that you can get an erection when you’re sexually aroused. After sexual activity, your erection will go away as it normally would.
If you’ve decided to take Viagra Connect to treat your erection problems you should swallow one whole tablet with some water, about an hour before you want to have sex. Don’t take more than one tablet a day.,
Remember to read the instructions that come with the medicine carefully, or talk to a pharmacist or your GP if you’re not sure how to take Viagra Connect. They’ll be able to give you more information and support.
Viagra Connect isn’t suitable for everyone, including people with some other health conditions such as heart problems. Talk to your GP or a pharmacist about whether Viagra Connect is the best treatment option for you.
It usually takes about one hour for Viagra Connect to start working., Most people take one tablet about an hour before they want to have sex. But everyone is different and for some people, it may take more or less time to get an erection after taking Viagra Connect.
After sex, your erection should go away normally. If it doesn't, contact your GP, a pharmacist, or.
Once you've taken Viagra Connect, it will stay active for up to four hours.
Get drugs support groupHow to tell if you have any medicines
Do not take any pharmacy medication,." Do not take any medicines when you are taking nitroglycerin (such as glyprotein-filtration medicine) or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or butyl nitrate.
Take breaksWhat are the side effects of Viagra Connect?
Like all medicines, Viagra Connect can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
As with all medicines, some side effects can be serious. If you experience any serious side effects, you should stop taking the medicine and contact your GP, where can you.
If you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think will harm your unborn, talk to a pharmacist or your GP.
Take actionIs Viagra Connect safe?
Viagra Connect is not recommended for use if you are pregnant, could become pregnant, or have any other health conditions.
How long does Viagra Connect take to work?It usually takes around 10 minutes to 1 hour to start working. Most side effects are mild and go away after a few hours.
Is there dosing information?
Please read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine.
Should you need more action, do not take more Viagra Connect.
Viagra Connect isn't the same for everyone. If you take Viagra Connect after a normal Viagra overdose, you should not take Viagra Connect.
Most people take Viagra Connect within the previous four hours. If you don't take Viagra Connect within the previous four hours, talk to your GP, pharmacist, or a pharmacist, or your GP.
If you take Viagra Connect during sexual activity, talk to your GP, pharmacist, or can interfere with the medicine's effectiveness, or if you don't take any medication, or if you have any health problems.
A man was arrested on Tuesday in Manchester for possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance in the United States without a prescription. The man, who was aged 19, was arrested after he was arrested in Manchester's City Market area. He is charged with possession with intent to supply and the possession of a controlled substance in the United States without a prescription. The man faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of £1.2million.
A court in the north Manchester suburb of Wollaston said the man had travelled to a friend's home and, at the time of the arrest, was seen by a pharmacist and a local dealer, and they had a supply of a prescription for Viagra.
The man was found to be in possession of the prescription and, for the first time, the man had to be monitored. The man faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of £1.2 million.
The man is facing five years in prison and a fine of £1.2 million. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of £1.2 million.
"It is a very serious offence to supply a prescription or to supply a controlled substance without a prescription in this manner," Manchester Crown Court heard. "The defendant was being taken to Manchester Crown Court for the purpose of possessing and possessing the prescription and the controlled substance as defined in the Act and this is a maximum fine of £1.2 million."
Judge Peter Cawley added: "This offence is a serious offence and you will be sentencing this very offence for a offence which has been recently registered and which has been carried out by a probation officer, who was at the centre of this case."
A man was arrested on Tuesday in Manchester for possessing with intent to supply a controlled substance without a prescription. The man, who was aged 19, was arrested after he was seen by a pharmacist and a local dealer, and they had a supply of a prescription for Viagra.The man is charged with possession with intent to supply and the possession of a controlled substance in the United States without a prescription.
The man is being investigated by the Manchester Crown Court for possession with intent to supply a controlled substance without a prescription.
The court heard that the man had travelled to Wollaston on a Friday.
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