Over the Counter Viagra
Viagra is the most famous medication for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). It helps to treat the symptoms of this disease and is generally safe for health. Can you buy OTC Viagra (without a doctor’s prescription)? Are there over-the-counter natural alternatives? Find the answers below.
What Is Viagra Over the Counter?
In most countries, Viagra is a prescription drug (RX). This means that to purchase it in a pharmacy, a patient must provide a prescription issued by a doctor. In addition, RX medications are regulated by special rules in each country, for example the New Drug Application (NDA) process in the USA.
On the other hand, OTC meds are available without a healthcare professional’s prescription. They can be sold both in pharmacies and in grocery stores. This category of drugs includes, in particular, painkillers, topical antibiotics, some cold medicines, cough medications, etc.
Is Viagra Available over the Counter?
Official Viagra is not available without a prescription in most countries. This does not apply to Viagra Connect (see below). However, in some countries, conventional pharmacies sell the drug without a prescription. These are mostly post-Soviet countries (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, etc.). Also, according to information on some health forums, Viagra OTC can be bought in Spain and in territories belonging to Spain, in particular on the Canary Islands.
What Does Pfizer Think About OTC Viagra?
Pfizer is generally positive about OTC Viagra, because the company wants to compete more successfully with generic drugmakers as generics are often purchased over the counter. Since the beginning of Viagra sales, the company has been thinking of how to make the drug over-the-counter. In the summer 2018, it launched the first official over the counter version of Viagra called Viagra Connect containing 50mg of sildenafil. The drug is now available only in the United Kingdom. To buy this drug a man needs to go to a regular pharmacy or use the services of a registered online pharmacy. The pharmacist will just ask a few questions about overall health and medications taken. A doctor’s prescription is not mandatory in the UK to buy Viagra Connect.
Pfizer has long fought for giving Viagra the status of an over-the-counter drug. The first experiment in this respect was carried out more than 10 years ago. In 2007, the UK regulatory authorities allowed some pharmacies to sell Viagra without a prescription to find out whether it was safe. Men had to inform the pharmacist about their medical history, including data on the level of blood pressure and blood sugar. In return, they received 4 blue tablets. To get more pills, they needed to see a doctor. However, the experiment was terminated by the European Medicines Authority because in the opinion of this regulatory body it interfered with the up-to-date diagnosis of diseases that could coexist with ED. Nevertheless, after a decade, over-the-counter Viagra Connect still appeared on the United Kingdom market. Perhaps this experience will lead to the emergence of OTC Viagra in the US and other countries.
Where and How to Buy Viagra Over the Counter Online?
Generic Viagra versions are very popular in Canada, India, and Europe. Amongst these countries’ pharmacies, Canadian ones offer arguably the cheapest prices. They offer probably the best OTC Viagra.
How to buy the drug online? It’s as simple as shooting fish in a barrel. You need to go to the website of the online pharmacy, find the needed drug, and add it to the online shopping cart. Then click “Checkout” button or something like that and you will be transferred to the page of choosing shipping methods and making payment. You can choose either traditional methods of paying for the drug or cryptocurrency payment. Viagra will be shipped to the indicated address within the promised term.
It is important to know: Be careful using over the counter Viagra. This can be dangerous if you suffer from other serious concomitant diseases or take other drugs (especially nitrates, Riociguat, and other PDE5 inhibitors like Revatio for pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment). In any case, it is better to consult a doctor and diagnose for heart disease before starting to take this medication. Also, choose only trusted drugstores that sell the drug produced by reliable drugmakers.
What Are Alternatives to Viagra?
There are many Viagra alternatives that may improve erectile dysfunction symptoms. These include natural pills, supplements and even food products. To buy them you don’t need a prescription in any country.
Here are 6 best Viagra alternatives:
Aphrodisiac Foods. Many food products positively influence male sexual health. Among the most powerful of them are Maca, watermelon, pumpkin seeds and oysters. Maca is a Peruvian plant that can be consumed both as a food product or a supplement. It improves general well-being and boosts libido. Watermelon is a natural source of arginine, which is used for nitric oxide production in the body leading to better blood flow in the penis and erection improvement. Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc, a crucial substance for proper functioning of the male reproductive system. Oysters also contain zinc. Maybe their effect is somewhat exaggerated, but it is not bad to eat sea delicacy, improving libido at the same time, is it? In addition, don’t forget about fruit and veggies, particularly strawberry, asparagus and celery. Besides aphrodisiac foods, you can also use over the counter ED pills.
L-Arginine. This is a naturally occurring amino acid, which has vasodilating properties. According to the research by J. Chen et al. (1999), L-arginine may be effective for treating ED in those males who have lowered NO (nitric oxide) levels in the body. The amino acid is used as a substance for production of nitric oxide, thereby improving blood flow in the penile organ. In addition, it helps to accelerate recovery after injuries and improve the immune system condition. Arginine is usually sold as a sports supplement, not as over the counter erection pills.
Ginseng. This is a traditional remedy for treating male problems that has been used for thousands of years. Several clinical studies have been conducted to examine the effects of Ginseng on erectile dysfunction, but the results are not entirely convincing. Recent studies have shown good results, however they have been relatively small-scaled (involved about 100 participants). Ginseng contains several active substances called ginsenosides or panaxosides, which are believed to be responsible for the medicinal effect of this herb. Therefore, ginseng can be used as an alternative means to improve sexual life in men.
Yagara. These are pills like Viagra over the counter with 100% mineral-herbal composition. Yagara contains mineral substances, multiple Ayurvedic and other powerful herbs, which have proven effect in the natural treatment of erectile dysfunction. These are, in particular, Shilajit, Mucuna Pruriens, Lata Karanja, Nutmeg, Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris). Tribulus terrestris helps the body to synthetize natural testosterone, while Nutmeg (Jaiphal) improves sex drive and self-confidence. This Viagra alternative is popular amongst devotees of natural medicine.
Yohimbine. There are two types of remedies based on this substance: yohimbine hydrochloride and Yohimbe bark extract. According to WebMD, yohimbine hydrochloride is a prescription drug that has been used for ED since the 1930s. Youhimbe supplements also contain yohimbe but in an unprocessed form. They may have the same effectiveness. At the same time, these supps may contain less active ingredient than the above mentioned drug and they don’t need pharma regulators’ approval before being marketed. Medicines based on this substance fight erectile dysfunction, contribute to the prolongation of sexual activity, and also increase sexual feelings during intimacy.
Ginkgo Biloba. This natural Viagra substitute has unique properties that are associated with a large number of one-of-a-kind components. Scientists have recognized the healing properties of Ginkgo leaves. Their chemical composition contains flavonoids, nonacosane, sterols, amino acids, essential oils, vitamins, microelements and other useful active substances. The plant has been used in folk Chinese medicine as a remedy for stimulating blood flow in the penis, which favorably affects male’s erectile function. It is important to know: Ginkgo biloba has anticoagulant effect therefore it is contraindicated to patients with circulatory system disorders and the history of heart attacks or strokes, as well as in the case of taking aspirin, warfarin or other anticoagulant drugs. Ginkgo can also interact with certain medications. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking Ginkgo-based supplements.
Besides using natural options, it is very important to introduce lifestyle changes. It has been proven that smoking, alcohol overuse, sedentary lifestyle and improper nutrition adversely affect erectile function in men. Try to eliminate these factors and your sexual health will be significantly improved.
The Bottom Line on OTC Viagra and Alternatives to Viagra
Generally speaking, transforming RX Viagra to an OTC drug is good. On the one hand, a person can buy the needed drug after a brief pharmacist’s consultation without spending much time in a clinic for getting a doctor’s prescription. OTC Viagra also could help decrease some of the embarrassment that ED patients sometimes face. On the other hand, if a male has any concerns about his health condition and/or has had severe cardiovascular problems, it is better to seek a doctor’s advice.
If a man suffers from mild ED, he may take advantage of natural Viagra alternatives, like arginine, yohimbine and Yagara. However, in case of moderate or severe ED in is much better to opt for the medication treatment.
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