How does Viagra Connect® work?
Viagra Connect® is a treatment for erectile dysfunction that helps you get and maintain an erection when you are sexually aroused.
Available without a prescription from regulated UK pharmacies since 2018, it contains sildenafil 50mg, a type of medicine known as a PDE5 inhibitor.
It works by improving blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, helping you achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.
Viagra Connect® does not cause an erection without sexual arousal. You still need sexual arousal for it to work.
Once sexual activity is over, your erection will go down naturally, just as it normally would.
What happens when you take Viagra Connect®?
When you are sexually aroused, your body releases natural chemicals that relax blood vessels in the penis.
Viagra Connect® supports this process by:
- Relaxing blood vessels in the penis
- Increasing blood flow during sexual stimulation
- Helping you achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity
It only works when you are sexually stimulated - it will not work on its own without arousal.
What is Viagra Connect® used for?
Viagra Connect® is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as erection problems.
It may help men who experience difficulty:
- Getting an erection
- Maintaining an erection
- Achieving an erection firm enough for
Does Viagra Connect® work?
Viagra Connect® is a clinically proven treatment for erectile dysfunction that has been widely studied for over 25 years. Over 1 million men in the UK have used Viagra Connect® since launch¹, with 74% of men reporting improved erections when taking it.
It helps many men achieve and maintain erections when sexually stimulated, although results vary depending on individual health and underlying causes.
Schedule a health check-up with your doctor as soon as possible within the first 6 months of starting to use Viagra Connect® to ensure that your erection problems are not caused by any serious health condition.
How long does Viagra Connect® take to work?
Viagra Connect® starts to work in as little as 25 minutes. However, this can vary from person to person.
To help it work effectively:
- Take it approximately one hour before sexual activity
- Swallow with water
- Avoid a heavy or high-fat meal beforehand, as this can delay absorption
- Avoid excessive alcohol, which may reduce effectiveness
How long does Viagra Connect® last?
Viagra Connect® can work for up to around 4 hours.
This does not mean a continuous erection, but that you may be able to achieve one when sexually stimulated within this timeframe.
Taking Viagra Connect®
Viagra Connect® is taken as a tablet before sexual activity. For full guidance on dosage, timing and use, see our dedicated guide: How do I take Viagra Connect?.
This will help ensure you are taking the product as instructed
For a full list of side effects, always read the Patient Information Leaflet available via the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC).
Is Viagra Connect® suitable for me?
Viagra Connect® is suitable for many men with erectile dysfunction, but it is not right for everyone. Before purchasing, you will complete a short medical questionnaire to confirm it is appropriate for you.
Buy Viagra Connect® online
If Viagra Connect® is suitable for you, it can be
purchased online from a regulated UK pharmacy
following a confidential consultation.
Once approved, it can be delivered discreetly to your home.
*Data on file: IRI Unit Sales week ending 23rd May 2026. For verification, please email: UKenquiry@viatris.com.
¹Estimated from reported Viagra Connect use since launch (Kantar 2019, Viagra Connect TNS Omnibus survey, 1,499 men 35 yr+) & UK male population 35+ yrs.
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