We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Read more about our vetting process.
Was this helpful?
Our Medical Standards and Insights team vetted the top sites to buy Viagra online. See our hands-on reviews, plus learn about pricing and how to order, including where to buy generic Viagra online.
Best overall service: Hims Viagra |Skip to review
Best subscription service: Rex MD Viagra|Skip to review
Best variety of ED medications: Roman Viagra|Skip to review
Best for budget: Lemonaid Sildenafil|Skip to review
Best with pharmacy discount card: Optum Perks Viagra|Skip to review
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition, and many people find that it is treatable with Viagra — sometimes called the “little blue pill” — and its generic form, sildenafil.
Several telehealth companies, such as Hims, Roman, Lemonaid, and Optum Perks, have doctors and other licensed medical professionals on hand to prescribe Viagra online.
*Some names have been changed at the request of testers.
Online
service
Healthline
score
How much does Viagra cost online?
How much does sildenafil (generic) cost online? (depending on dosage)
What dosage is available?
Himsv, gen
4.6
starting at $139 per dose
starting at $4 per dose of sildenafil
25 to 100 mg
REX MDv, gen
3.9
$96 per dose
$2 to $6 per dose of sildenafil
20 to 100 mg
Romanv, gen
4.0
$90 per dose
$4 to $10 per dose of sildenafil
25 to 100 mg
Lemonaidgen
3.9
$50 to $100 per dose
starting at $2 per dose of sildenafil
20 mg
Optum Perksv, gen
4.2
varies based on dosage and pharmacy
varies based on dosage and pharmacy
varies based on pharmacy
v = Viagra available gen = generic
We chose the following telehealth brands based on user ratings, discretion, and our product selection guidelines. This includes verifying Hims, Roman, Lemonaid, REX MD, and Optum Perks claims that a doctor or other qualified or licensed medical professional is involved in determining the appropriateness of the prescribed medication available online.
This allows us to give you strong recommendations for online prescriptions that offer good value for your money.
We also ensure that sponsors and business partners never influence our content.
In addition, we review BBB ratings (where applicable) and check to make sure none of these brands have FDA
If you’d like to read more about our selection process and scoring system for telehealth platforms, check out Healthline Scores: How We Evaluate Men’s Telehealth Platforms.
How common is erectile dysfunction?
ED is very common. In the United States alone, researchers estimate around
ED is defined as the inability to develop and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual activity or penetrative sex.
Changes in some lifestyle habits, such as activity levels and nutrition, can make a positive difference, as well as the use of medications in some cases.
Taking Viagra can cause mild or serious side effects. Mild effects may go away in a few days or a couple of weeks. These side effects can include:
- headache
- flushing
- indigestion
- stuffy nose
- back pain
- muscle pain
- nausea
- dizziness
- rash
If these side effects persist after a week or so, talk with your prescribing healthcare professional or pharmacist.
Serious side effects are uncommon but may occur. Call your prescribing healthcare professional right away if you experience serious side effects, such as:
- sudden vision loss in one eye
- sudden decrease or loss of hearing
- allergic reaction (hives, itching, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
- priapism (painful and persistent erection lasting more than 4 hours)
- low blood pressure
- fast heart rate
- Have an accurate diagnosis and prescription: Remember that generic Viagra and generic sildenafil are not available over the counter — you’ll need a prescription. Some companies even offer an online appointment that connect you with an online provider who can assess your symptoms and make an accurate ED diagnosis before your purchase.
- Use a licensed pharmacy to avoid counterfeit medications: Oral medications for ED are among the
most counterfeited medications in the world. Online pharmacies can sell counterfeit medications, so it’s important to do your research before you buy from any retailer. - Buy from an online pharmacy operating in the country and state you live in: In 2014, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy found that
97% of the internet pharmacies it examined were not compliant with federal laws, state laws, or industry standards.
To avoid buying counterfeit medications, look for the following:
- reputable retailer
- consultation with a licensed medical professional
- licensed pharmacy that asks for an online prescription from your doctor
- licensed pharmacy with an address in the United States
- FDA-approved medications
- clearly labeled containers with the name of the medication and dosage
- licensed pharmacist who is available to answer any questions afterward
What makes a reputable online pharmacy or health platform?
There should be multiple, clear ways to contact a customer service representative, such as a pop-up chat window, an email to send questions, a contact form you can submit, or a phone number you can call.
The online pharmacy may have a medical advisory board and a network of licensed healthcare professionals.
As a user of their services or platform, it should be easy for you to see information about the online professionals, such as nurse practitioners and physicians, that you work with — including medical license and credentials.
If you’re interested in trying Viagra for ED, you’ll need to talk with a healthcare professional first. They will be able to determine whether you’re a good candidate for Viagra, and if so, they can write a prescription.
It’s important to share your medical history and any medications that you’re taking because Viagra can have very severe side effects if taken alongside certain other medications like nitrates. The FDA does require a prescription for Viagra, both for the brand-name medication and its generic version, sildenafil.
Your doctor may prescribe Viagra if they decide it’s the safest treatment option based on your symptoms, medical history, and overall health. There are also other options they can talk with you about.
If you experience a painful erection or an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, get emergency care immediately, as it may be a sign of another urologic condition.
It’s also important to get immediate medical assistance if you experience any of these serious side effects:
- allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching or hives, and swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fast, irregular heart rate
- hearing loss
- vision changes
- seizures
Counterfeit Viagra is known to contain amphetamines, toxic chemicals, the wrong dose of active ingredients, and even blue printer ink.
It’s a good practice to avoid international websites. Each country has its own governance when it comes to manufacturing. Stick to reputable sites and pharmacies you can trust.
Currently, there are no over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra. Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription medication, meaning it’s not available over the counter from your local pharmacy.
But with telemedicine, you don’t need to visit your doctor in person to get a prescription for Viagra or another ED medication.
If your doctor believes that you could benefit from this treatment, they can prescribe the medication and you can order Viagra online and have it sent directly (and discreetly) to your home.
There are several other PDE5 inhibitors and ED medications that may be helpful if you find that Viagra isn’t effective for you or if the price is outside of your budget.
There are also wearable devices such as the Eddie by Giddy that are designed to be worn around the penis to help regulate blood flow. They may help some people maintain an erection without medications.
The truth is, receiving Viagra the same day may not be possible.
Many of the companies on this list advertise free consultations in which you’ll be evaluated for a prescription within 24 to 48 hours, as well as fast and free shipping, which means you could potentially receive your ED medications in only a couple of days.
If you would like to receive Viagra as fast as possible, you may want to consider talking with your doctor in person or through a virtual telehealth portal to see whether a prescription can be filled the same day at a local pharmacy.
Most of the time, Viagra starts to work after 30 minutes. Some people note that Viagra works faster when taken on an empty stomach.
The effects of Viagra usually last around 4 to 5 hours, in which time it is easier to have an erection. But in some cases, this window of time can last as long as 18 hours with sildenafil. If your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours, get medical attention immediately.
No, you can’t get Viagra online without an online consultation with a licensed medical professional in your state.
Any generic Viagra available online that you purchase from a site with a prescription has a high risk of being counterfeit.
There is no exact equivalent to Viagra that’s available over the counter.
There are some over-the-counter ED pills and alternatives to Viagra that may have some efficacy similar to taking Viagra.
But these treatments are not FDA approved for ED and may not be effective if not taken under medical supervision along with other treatments or supplements.
Online prescriptions for Viagra through Hims, Roman, and other online services range in price from $50 to $139 per dose.
The exact cost of Viagra online depends on which service you go through and what your insurance covers.
The dose of Viagra you take will affect how strong it is and how well it addresses your symptoms.
Most online services for Viagra offer doses from 20 to 100 mg. Taking higher doses of Viagra won’t always mean that it works better, and taking too high a dose can cause unwanted side effects.
Talk with a medical professional about what dose is right for your symptoms.
It’s important to talk with a doctor if you regularly experience ED and want to take Viagra using online prescriptions.
When shopping for Viagra that’s available online, look for services that are FDA approved and involve a personalized approach with a medical professional. Only purchase Viagra online from reputable online providers.
