An overview of the prices for the most popular generic Viagra products and how you can save the most compared with original Viagra. We also explain how to buy generic Viagra online legally and safely, and what you need to watch out for.

What is generic Viagra?

A generic drug is one that contains the same active ingredient as a drug already authorized on the market under a different name. This means that Viagra and the corresponding generics both contain the active ingredient sildenafil, so to speak.

Viagra belongs to the group of PDE5 inhibitors used to treat erectile dysfunction. The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil.

Generic Viagra (imitation Viagra) is a drug containing sildenafil, the same active ingredient as the original Viagra. Since patent protection expired in 2013, other pharmaceutical companies have launched drugs containing the same active ingredient on the US market.

✅ Generic Viagra works in the same way as the original drug.

What are the advantages of generic Viagra?

The advantage over the original product is its lower price. Since manufacturers of imitation drugs have no development and research costs, the price of generic Viagra is up to 70% lower than that of the original drug. Pfizer also offers a cheaper copy of its own sexual stimulant, Sildenafil Pfizer.

In the online doctor's office, you can order cheap generic Viagra easily and simply by filling in a medical questionnaire.

Viagra's patent expired long ago

Viagra was developed by the Pfizer pharmaceutical company and launched on the market in 1998. The patent on the original Viagra, whose active ingredient is sildenafil, expired in June 2013.

In the same year, 28 generic Viagra products were approved in the US. Generic products may differ in name, color and shape. Different products may also contain different excipients. If you can't tolerate Viagra, you can try a generic product.

What generic Viagra products are available in the US?

Since patent protection expired, several manufacturers have been offering generic Viagra. Imitation products are generally available in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg in the same dosages as the original. However, some generic manufacturers offer additional packaging.

Generic Viagra brand price comparison: which is the best generic Viagra?

Available doses

Price of Generic Viagra

Sildenafil - 1A Pharma

50 mg, 100 mg

from $16.07 70% savings*.

SildeHEXAL

25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

from $15.59

Sildenafil ratiopharm

50 mg, 100 mg

from $19.47

Sildenafil Pfizer

50 mg, 100 mg

from $21.04

Sildaristo

50 mg, 100 mg

from $14.84

In comparison: Viagra prices start at $51.49 (price of a box of Viagra 25 mg, 4 tablets).

*Compared with Viagra 50 mg, 4 tablets for $56.63.

Why is generic Viagra cheap?

A generic product is an imitation of an older, original preparation that is no longer protected by a patent. The imitation product contains the same active substance in the same quantity and in a comparable dosage form. The effect is therefore the same.

The original is protected by a patent for 20 years, so that high development and research costs can be recouped during this period. Once patent protection has expired, other pharmaceutical companies can produce drugs containing the same active ingredient.

As generics do not have to be developed from scratch, development and research costs are much lower. Generics are therefore much cheaper. Another reason is competition. The more generics there are on the market, the lower the price.

For example, most generics of Viagra are up to 75% cheaper than the original.

The active ingredient is identical

The same drug safety and quality laws apply to generics as to the original.

For a drug to be approved as a generic, it must meet certain requirements. One important criterion is the bioavailability of a generic drug. Bioavailability indicates how quickly and how much an active ingredient is absorbed by the body.

A generic drug will only be granted marketing authorization if its bioavailability is between 80% and 125% of that of the original.

How is generic Viagra taken, and how long does it last?

Generic Viagra is taken orally in tablet form. The PDE5 inhibitor reaches its maximum concentration in the blood after 30 to 150 minutes of action, and has a half-life of 3 to 5 hours.

Sildenafil is broken down by liver enzymes and excreted mainly in the faeces and, to a lesser extent, in the urine.

Correct dosage of generic Viagra

Viagra's active ingredient, sildenafil, is available in five strengths:

  • 25 mg
  • Sildenafil 50 mg
  • 75 mg
  • Sildenafil 100 mg

We recommend taking 50 mg about 30 to 60 minutes before intercourse, without chewing, with a little water (one dose per day). As every body is individual and reacts differently, the dose can be increased to 100 mg per day if necessary or, ideally, reduced to 20 mg. The lower the quantity of active substance, the better.

It is advisable to keep the dose as low as possible. Doses higher than 100 mg have not been shown to increase the effect. However, sildenafil, like any drug, can cause side effects, and if the dose is increased, undesirable side effects may increase accordingly.

Patients with severe liver or kidney damage can only take sildenafil in low doses, depending on its efficacy and tolerability, as their kidneys or liver cannot process the active substance satisfactorily. For these patients, alternative medications with other active ingredients may be considered.

The drug may be taken before or after meals. It is important to note that fatty foods slow down the absorption of sildenafil in the stomach and therefore reduce the concentration of the active substance in the blood. This may prolong the exposure time and reduce the intensity of the effect.

How do generics differ from the original Viagra?

Apart from the lower price, the main difference between original Viagra and its generics lies in their appearance. For patent reasons and for better recognition, each manufacturer designs its generic Viagra with a different color and shape; the printing on the pills also varies.

In addition, generics may differ slightly in terms of other ingredients such as binders and colorants. Patients generally tolerate these excipients well, but in a small number of cases they may cause additional or different side effects to those of the original. For example, gastrointestinal problems due to the presence of lactose. Always talk to your doctor if you think you're not tolerating your generic Viagra very well.

However, when it comes to the active ingredient sildenafil, original Viagra and its generics are always completely identical. As a result, generic Viagra works just as well as the original.

Are all Viagra generics approved on the US market available in pharmacies?

Yes, in general, all Viagra generics approved in the US can be purchased in any pharmacy. However, due to the large number of different imitation products, most pharmacies do not always have all generics in stock. Our pharmacy always has erection drugs in stock. If you want to buy generic Viagra online, our website allows you to do so in just a few clicks.

How can I buy Generic Viagra over the counter in the US?

Yes, you can buy generic Viagra without a prescription from authorized online pharmacies, but you'll need a valid prescription, just as you would at your local pharmacy.

Authorized online medical practices also offer to buy Generic Viagra in the US. With these suppliers, the prescription and the drug are ordered together. The sexual enhancement medication is sent by post or can be obtained from a local pharmacy.

How do the different inhibitors work in comparison?

In addition to sildenafil, four other inhibitors belong to the group of PDE5 inhibitors:

  • Sildenafil (Viagra)
  • Tadalafil (Cialis)
  • Vardenafil (Levitra)
  • Avanafil (Spedra)

Active ingredients differ in speed and duration of action. They are broken down by the body at different rates. As a result, different doses of the different inhibitors are needed to achieve the same effect.

Summary of the effect of prescription sexual stimulants

Active ingredient

Dose

Duration of effect

Start of action

Efficiency

Avanafil

50 / 100 / 200 mg

approx. 6 hours

After 15 - 30 min.

up to 59%

Sildenafil

20 / 25 / 50 / 75 / 100 mg

approx. 4-6 hours

After 25 min.

up to 80%

Tadalafil

5 / 10 / 20 mg

24 - 36 hours

After 30 min.

up to 80%

Vardenafil

5 / 10 / 20 mg

approx. 4-6 hours

After 25 - 60 min.

up to 80%

Frequently asked questions

What is the quality of generic Viagra?

Generic Viagra is not inferior to the original in terms of efficacy. Since some ingredients (e.g. carrier substances) are not identical to the original drug, switching to a generic drug should be discussed with a doctor beforehand. All drugs, including generics, undergo extensive testing for active ingredient content, composition and side effects before being approved for the US market. Even Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, launched its own generic after the patent expired, as it could not lower the price of Viagra any further.

What is the best generic Viagra?

There's no general answer to this question, as the effect always depends on factors such as the severity of the disease, the timing of intake and food consumption. In principle, however, all Viagra generics are as safe and well-documented as the original product. Your doctor will work with you to decide which drug is best for you, based on possible side effects.

What's the difference between original Viagra and generic Viagra?

Viagra differs little from its generic counterparts. Both the original product and generic Viagra contain sildenafil as the active ingredient, so the mode and duration of action are identical. The difference between the original product and the imitation is usually the considerably lower price, as manufacturers don't have to pay research and approval costs. In addition, they may contain other excipients such as binders and colorants.

How much do generic Viagra products cost?

Generic Viagra is generally up to 60% cheaper than the original product. For example, the smallest pack of Sildenafil 1A Pharma with 4 50 mg tablets costs just under $16. In contrast, Sildenafil ratiopharm is available from around $19.50 for 4 tablets dosed at 50 mg. By eliminating huge research costs, imitation preparations can be offered at a much lower price after patent protection expires. For a box of 12 x 50 mg, Viagra costs $11.67 per tablet, while the cheapest generic costs $1.50 per tablet for a box of the same size (August 2022).

How does generic Viagra work?

During sexual arousal, a messenger substance (GMPc) is released which relaxes blood vessel muscles, allowing more blood to enter the erectile tissue and often resulting in an erection. The messenger substance GMPc is degraded by the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (abbreviated PDE5) and the erection disappears. By taking PDE5 inhibitors, this degradation can be temporarily blocked, allowing more blood to reach the erectile tissue and maintain the erection.

What generic Viagra is available?

Many pharmaceutical companies specialize in manufacturing generic versions. In this way, they keep costs as low as possible, but don't contribute to development and research either. Examples of generic Viagra are Sildenafil Actavis, Sildenafil KRKA, Sildenafil Sandoz, Sildenafil Stada and Sildenafil Teva.

What's better than Viagra?

It's not possible to make a general statement that sexual stimulants are better than Viagra, as their effectiveness always depends on many individual factors. In case of uncertainty or doubt, always consult your doctor. Alternatives to Viagra include other PDE5 inhibitors such as Cialis, Levitra or Spedra. Inexpensive generic Viagra is also a treatment option.