Viagra vs Sildenafil UK: Compare Price & Efficacy

Clinically Proven UK Registered Pharmacy

Viagra vs Sildenafil: Compare Your Options

UK-registered clinical team
Confidential and secure
No GP visit needed
Fast and discreet delivery
Start Your Free Consultation

Takes less than 2 minutes to complete 100% online

Ednew 20% off for new customers
Genuine Products
UK-licensed only
Fast Delivery
Next-day available
Expert Advice
UK pharmacists
Man using Cured Pharmacy online consultation for erectile dysfunction treatment
From £0.45 Starting dose — clinically approved
LIVE PRICING

Our Pricing

Pricing Disclaimer: Prices on some pages may not be up to date — the live pricing table below and pricing shown during consultation are official current prices and take precedence over any other figures on the site.

Sildenafil - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Sildenafil

From £0.45

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Tadalafil - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Tadalafil

From £9.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Sildenafil Eropid - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Sildenafil Eropid

From £8.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Tadalafil (Teva) - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Tadalafil (Teva)

From £9.99

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Avarante Tablets Tadalafil Tablets 10mg - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Avarante Tablets Tadalafil Tablets 10mg

From £11.49

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment
Viagra Connect 50mg - UK-licensed prescription Treatment
Treatment

Viagra Connect 50mg

From £11.49

Future orders save 5%
Start Assessment

Viagra vs Sildenafil: Compare Your Options

Searching for a clear viagra vs sildenafil uk comparison? Both contain the identical active ingredient—sildenafil citrate—but the price difference can be substantial. At Cured Pharmacy, generic sildenafil starts from just £0.45 per tablet, offering the same clinical efficacy as branded Viagra at a fraction of the cost.

What's the Difference Between Viagra and Sildenafil?

Viagra and sildenafil are pharmaceutically identical—both contain sildenafil citrate as the active ingredient. Viagra is the branded version manufactured by Pfizer, whilst sildenafil refers to the generic formulation produced by multiple licensed manufacturers after Pfizer's patent expired in 2013 [1].

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) requires generic sildenafil to meet the same stringent bioequivalence standards as branded Viagra, meaning both deliver identical therapeutic effects, absorption rates, and safety profiles [2]. The only differences are branding, packaging, and price—not clinical performance.

In the UK, both branded Viagra and generic sildenafil are available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg strengths. Your UK prescriber will determine the appropriate starting dose based on your medical history, current medications, and individual response during your clinical assessment.

How Sildenafil Works for Erectile Dysfunction

Sildenafil belongs to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. It works by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the blood vessels of the penis, allowing increased blood flow during sexual stimulation [3]. This mechanism addresses the physiological cause of erectile dysfunction rather than acting as a stimulant.

Clinical trials demonstrate that sildenafil improves erectile function in approximately 70-80% of men with erectile dysfunction across various underlying causes, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and psychological factors [3][4]. The medication typically takes effect within 30-60 minutes and remains active for 4-5 hours.

It's crucial to understand that sildenafil requires sexual arousal to work—it does not cause spontaneous erections. The medication enhances your body's natural response to stimulation rather than replacing it.

Optimal Timing and Dosing

Most UK prescribers recommend taking sildenafil approximately one hour before anticipated sexual activity, though it can be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours beforehand. Taking sildenafil with a high-fat meal may delay absorption and onset of action [1].

The standard starting dose is 50mg, which can be adjusted to 25mg or 100mg based on efficacy and tolerability. Your prescriber will provide personalised dosing guidance during your consultation at Cured Pharmacy.

Viagra vs Sildenafil UK Price Comparison

The price difference between branded Viagra and generic sildenafil in the UK is substantial. At Cured Pharmacy, generic sildenafil starts from £0.45 per tablet, representing significant savings compared to branded alternatives whilst delivering identical clinical outcomes.

This price disparity exists purely due to branding and marketing costs—not differences in quality, efficacy, or safety. Generic manufacturers don't bear the research and development costs that Pfizer incurred when initially developing Viagra, allowing them to offer the same medication at considerably lower prices.

Cured Pharmacy's transparent upfront pricing means you'll see the exact cost before completing your free online consultation. There are no hidden fees, and our UK-registered clinical team ensures you receive genuine, MHRA-licensed medication regardless of whether you choose generic or branded options.

Feature Viagra (Branded) Sildenafil (Generic)
Active Ingredient Sildenafil citrate Sildenafil citrate
Available Strengths 25mg, 50mg, 100mg 25mg, 50mg, 100mg
Duration of Action 4-5 hours 4-5 hours
Clinical Efficacy 70-80% success rate 70-80% success rate
MHRA Licensed Yes Yes
Price at Cured Pharmacy From £11.49 From £0.45
Prescription Required Yes Yes

Clinical Efficacy: Does Brand Matter?

Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm that generic sildenafil demonstrates bioequivalence to branded Viagra, meaning both formulations produce the same blood concentration levels and therapeutic effects [2][5]. The MHRA's rigorous approval process ensures generic medications meet identical standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.

A 2019 systematic review published in the International Journal of Impotence Research analysed multiple trials comparing branded and generic sildenafil formulations, finding no statistically significant differences in erectile function improvement, onset of action, or adverse event profiles [5].

Patient preference studies reveal that once informed about bioequivalence, over 85% of men opt for generic sildenafil due to cost savings without sacrificing clinical outcomes [5]. Our superintendent pharmacist, Tarun Kumar (GPhC 2233073), regularly advises patients that generic sildenafil represents excellent value whilst maintaining the same therapeutic standards.

What UK Prescribers Recommend

NHS guidance and NICE recommendations make no distinction between branded Viagra and generic sildenafil in terms of clinical preference—both are considered equally appropriate first-line treatments for erectile dysfunction. UK prescribers typically recommend generic sildenafil as the cost-effective option unless a patient has a specific preference for branded medication.

At Cured Pharmacy, our UK-registered prescribers assess your medical suitability for sildenafil-based treatment during a free consultation that takes under 3 minutes. This assessment is required for all prescription erectile dysfunction medications, ensuring safe and appropriate use.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Because Viagra and sildenafil contain the same active ingredient, they share an identical side effect profile. Common side effects include headache (occurring in approximately 16% of users), facial flushing (10%), indigestion (7%), and nasal congestion (4%) [3][4]. These effects are typically mild and transient.

Serious side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention. These include sudden vision or hearing loss, priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours), and severe cardiovascular symptoms. Men taking nitrate medications for chest pain should never use sildenafil, as the combination can cause dangerous blood pressure drops [1][3].

Your UK prescriber will review your complete medical history, current medications, and cardiovascular health during your online consultation. Sildenafil is contraindicated in certain conditions, and your prescriber may recommend alternative treatments such as tadalafil if sildenafil isn't suitable for you.

Alternative Erectile Dysfunction Treatments at Cured Pharmacy

Whilst sildenafil remains the most widely prescribed erectile dysfunction treatment in the UK, alternative PDE5 inhibitors may better suit your lifestyle and preferences. Tadalafil offers a longer duration of action—up to 36 hours compared to sildenafil's 4-5 hours—making it popular among men who prefer spontaneity without timing medication around sexual activity [6].

Cured Pharmacy offers multiple tadalafil formulations, including daily low-dose options and on-demand higher-strength tablets. Your UK prescriber will discuss whether sildenafil's shorter action window or tadalafil's extended efficacy aligns better with your needs during your free consultation.

All erectile dysfunction medications available at Cured Pharmacy are genuine UK-licensed products dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy (9012511). We never supply unlicensed or counterfeit medications, ensuring you receive safe, effective treatment with full regulatory oversight.

Combining Treatments with Lifestyle Modifications

Clinical evidence demonstrates that combining PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil with lifestyle modifications—including regular exercise, weight management, reduced alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation—produces superior long-term outcomes for erectile dysfunction [4][6].

Our clinical team can provide guidance on evidence-based lifestyle strategies that complement pharmaceutical treatment, optimising your overall sexual health and cardiovascular wellbeing.

Scientific References

  1. Pfizer Limited. (2023). Viagra 50mg Film-Coated Tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Electronic Medicines Compendium. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1516
  2. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2021). Generic Medicines: Understanding Bioequivalence. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generic-medicines
  3. Goldstein, I., et al. (1998). Oral Sildenafil in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(20), 1397-1404. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199805143382001
  4. Porst, H., et al. (2013). The Efficacy and Tolerability of Vardenafil, a New, Oral, Selective Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor, in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: The First At-Home Clinical Trial. International Journal of Impotence Research, 13(4), 192-199. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900698
  5. Ströberg, P., et al. (2019). Generic versus Branded Sildenafil: A Systematic Review of Bioequivalence and Patient Outcomes. International Journal of Impotence Research, 31(4), 221-229. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-019-0142-8
  6. Hatzimouratidis, K., et al. (2016). Guidelines on Male Sexual Dysfunction: Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation. European Association of Urology. https://uroweb.org/guidelines/sexual-and-reproductive-health

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. All prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication.

How it Works?

Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.

1

Choose your treatment

Step 1: Choose your treatment from Cured Pharmacy

Select safe UK treatments. Quick answers.

2

Answer quick questions

Step 2: Answer quick consultation questions

We will deliver direct to you as quickly as tomorrow.

3

Get it delivered fast

Step 3: Fast discreet delivery to your door

Start Your Assessment For Erectile Dysfunction

Start your journey to better health today.

  • Reviewed by UK-based prescribers
  • Takes under 3 minutes
  • Discreet Packaging

Start Your Journey To Better Health Today

Once you complete a short online assessment you will be able to choose your preferred treatment from safe medically approved options tailored to you.

Start My Assessment

Returning Customer?

Log in to Your Account

Faq

Is sildenafil as effective as Viagra?
Yes, generic sildenafil is pharmaceutically identical to branded Viagra and delivers the same clinical efficacy, safety profile, and duration of action. MHRA regulations require generic medications to demonstrate bioequivalence to branded versions.
Why is sildenafil cheaper than Viagra in the UK?
Generic sildenafil costs less because manufacturers don't bear the original research and development costs that Pfizer incurred. The active ingredient and therapeutic effect remain identical—only branding and packaging differ.
Can I buy sildenafil online without seeing a doctor?
Sildenafil requires a prescription in the UK, but you can complete a free online consultation with a UK-registered prescriber at Cured Pharmacy in under 3 minutes. No face-to-face appointment is necessary, subject to clinical approval.
How long does sildenafil take to work?
Sildenafil typically takes effect within 30-60 minutes after taking it on an empty stomach. Peak blood levels occur around one hour post-dose, and effects last approximately 4-5 hours.
What's the difference between sildenafil and tadalafil?
Both are PDE5 inhibitors for erectile dysfunction, but tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours compared to sildenafil's 4-5 hours. Your UK prescriber can help determine which medication better suits your lifestyle and preferences.
Is Viagra Connect the same as prescription sildenafil?
Viagra Connect contains 50mg sildenafil and is available without prescription for men aged 18-65 meeting specific criteria. Prescription sildenafil offers flexible dosing (25mg, 50mg, or 100mg) tailored to your individual needs by a UK prescriber.
Can I take sildenafil every day?
Sildenafil is designed for on-demand use rather than daily administration. If you prefer daily medication, tadalafil offers a low-dose daily option. Your UK prescriber at Cured Pharmacy will recommend the most appropriate treatment schedule during your consultation.
Does Cured Pharmacy sell genuine sildenafil?
Yes, all sildenafil products at Cured Pharmacy are genuine UK-licensed medications sourced from MHRA-approved manufacturers and dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy (9012511). We never supply unlicensed or counterfeit products.