Should I buy Viagra online?

No. Possibly. Ok, yes but with some considerations.

If you are like many men who suffer with getting or maintaining erections you may have considered pharmacological help or the seen adverts to buy Viagra online.

Do you see these sort of adverts at the bottom of blogs and web pages? Are you ever tempted to click?

We all know the dangers of clicking links that may take us to "dodgy" websites, where our devices can become infected with malware viruses or other nasty things. What's more dangerous is that some of these websites then lead to people purchasing products they believe are going to positively benefit them.

Taking the constant adverts for health related products I see, there are always multiple erectile dysfunction adverts and nearly all of them are some form of scam.

If you are interested in ED medication have you spoken to your pharmacist?

Did you know you can now buy Viagra Connect (generic - sildenafil) over the counter without a prescription? Many pharmacies now offer multiple different erectile dysfunction products as well as the generic version of Viagra at a fraction of the cost. Often what tempts people to purchase the online versions if often the price point and convenience.

So what are the dangers of purchasing Viagra Connect (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Spedra (avanafil) and many other treatments online?

Firstly, one of the main dangers of purchasing medication online is that you are relying on a self-diagnosis. There is a possibility that you could mistakenly think you have erectile dysfunction when you may have other underlying medical problems such as problems with the prostate, it may also be a symptom caused by other medication, narrowing of penis blood vessels, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol or a disruption to your hormone levels. Only a doctor can diagnose these.

Another important factor when looking at purchasing medication online, is determining the source of the medication. Many online pharmacies are not registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and so are not properly regulated to ensure they are acting safely and within the law. There is also a risk that the products you receive are substandard or worse, potentially dangerous.

If the item you purchase comes from an unregistered pharmacy, there is no guarantee that the product you have ordered is:

a) what you're expecting,

b) made under safe conditions with the manufacturer adhering to strict SOPs,

c) sourcing good quality ingredients.

When purchasing from unverified online pharmacies, there's no guarantee that the medication you receive has been stored or transported properly. Improper storage conditions can lead to a loss of potency or even contamination, rendering the medication ineffective or hazardous to your health.

How do you know if the pharmacy is legit?

There will be a green pharmacy logo on the page and when clicked it will take you to their entry in the GPhC's register. Try clicking the image to see the register. The Registered Pharmacy logo is a voluntary scheme, meaning internet pharmacies are not obliged to register. However, I would strongly think if an online pharmacy hasn't registered why not? Is it safe to use? possibly not.

Although online pharmacies can provide the medication quickly (Some next day delivery) this is no substitute for speaking to a trained healthcare professional face-to-face, even if that is via phone or zoom. They are then able to answer any questions you may have, and tailor the advice they provide so it is specific to your situation.