^ "Sildenafil Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014 - 2023".
| Method | Description | Effectiveness Rating | Popularity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal Remedies | Using herbs like Ashwagandha | Moderate | 30 |
| Yoga and Meditation | Stress reduction and focus | Variable | 45 |
| Acupuncture | Needle therapy for circulation | Limited | 10 |
| Ayurvedic Medicines | Herbal formulations from Ayurveda | Varies | 15 |
"Generic Viagra: Two versions of sildenafil hit the market today".
How does Viagra® work?
^ "Drug Approval Package: Viagra (sildenafil citrate) NDA #020895". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Archived from the original on 12 August 2025. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Professional | 100mg | 30 Pills | 88.92€ 84.69€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 10 Sachets | 46.36€ 44.15€ | |
| Viagra Professional | 100mg | 120 + 4 Pills | 262.83€ 250.31€ | |
| Viagra Professional | 100mg | 90 + 2 Pills | 207.09€ 197.23€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 180 + 20 Pills | 280.97€ 267.59€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 34 + 2 Pills | 163.67€ 155.88€ | |
| Viagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 10 Pills | 36.93€ 35.17€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 21 Sachets | 78.66€ 74.91€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 379.76€ 361.68€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 20 Pills | 40.52€ 38.59€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 326.61€ 311.06€ |
"With Viagra Now Available Over-The-Counter In The U.K., Will The U.S.
What Is Sildenafil?
It is thought that this reduced sales over the Internet and was safer as males could be referred for medical advice if appropriate. In 1999 South Korea granted two patents to Pfizer related to sildenafil. The first document guaranteed sole production and sale of the substance until 2012, while the second gave Pfizer the exclusive use to treating erectile dysfunction with sildenafil until 2014. [123] In 2011 Hanmi Pharmaceutical and CJ CheilJedang launched a suit against the exclusive use patent. The Korean Court system made a ruling against Pfizer in June 2012, allowing for the unhindered domestic production of generic prescription sildenafil.
Altitude sickness
In 2012, Viagra lost its position as the top selling erectile dysfunction treatment in South Korea. This development was credited largely "due to the introduction of generic products." Generic sildenafil became publicly available in May. Sales of PalPal by Hanmi Pharmaceuticals totalled ₩22 billion or about 86% the market share of Viagra that year. [125] By 2017, there were over 50 generic sildenafil pills available. During that year Viagra sales slumped to 38% that of Palpal.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking sildenafil?
There were 2,958,199 prescriptions for Sildenafil in 2016 in England, compared with 1,042,431 in 2006. In 2018, Viagra Connect, a particular formulation of Sildenafil marketed by Pfizer, became available for sale without a prescription in the UK. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. ^ "Viagra 25mg film-coated tablets Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". ^ "Viagra Connect 50 mg film-coated tablets Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". "Phosphodiesterase inhibitors for erectile dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus". "Strategies for managing sexual dysfunction induced by antidepressant medication". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (5) CD003382.
Non-medical use
v. Pfizer Canada Inc., pointed to section 27(3)(b) of The Patent Act which requires that disclosure must include sufficient information "to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which it pertains" to produce it. It added further: "As a matter of policy and sound statutory interpretation, patentees cannot be allowed to 'game' the system in this way. This, in my view, is the key issue in this appeal. Teva Canada launched Novo-Sildenafil, a generic version of Viagra, on the day the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision.
Marketing and sales
[109][110][111] To remain competitive, Pfizer then reduced the price of Viagra in Canada. [112] However, on 9 November 2012, Pfizer filed a motion for a re-hearing of the appeal in the Supreme Court of Canada,[113] on the grounds that the court accidentally exceeded its jurisdiction by voiding the patent. [114] Finally, on 22 April 2013, the Supreme Court of Canada invalidated Pfizer's patent altogether. Manufacture and sale of sildenafil citrate drugs is common in China, where Pfizer's patent claim is not widely enforced. Egypt approved Viagra for sale in 2002, but soon afterwards allowed local companies to produce generic versions of the drug, citing the interests of poor people who would not be able to afford Pfizer's price.
What are the serious side effects of sildenafil?
In June 2013 Pfizer's patent on sildenafil citrate expired viagra tablet sex in some member countries of the European Union, including Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland. [117][118][119] A UK patent held by Pfizer on the use of PDE5 inhibitors (see below) as treatment of impotence was invalidated in 2000 because of obviousness; this decision was upheld on appeal in 2002. Manufacture and sale of sildenafil citrate drugs known as "generic Viagra" is common in India, where Pfizer's patent claim does not apply. Brand names include Kamagra (Ajanta Pharma), Silagra (Cipla), Edegra (Sun Pharmaceutical), Penegra (Zydus Cadila), Manly (Cooper Pharma) and Zenegra (Alkem Laboratories). Sildenafil was reclassified in New Zealand in 2014 so it could be bought over the counter from a pharmacist. Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. "Efficacy and safety of sildenafil treatment in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review".
| Aspect | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | Over-the-counter sale limited; prescription required | Controlled substance in some states |
| Regulatory Body | Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) | Approves drug formulations |
| Import Regulations | Strict for non-approved foreign brands | Customs require documentation |
| Advertising Rules | Restrictions on direct-to-consumer ads | Ensures medical guidance |
Archived from the original on 29 August 2021.
Overdose/Missed Dose
While the sale remains subject to a consultation with a pharmacist, the other restrictions from the trial have been removed, allowing customers over the age of 18 to purchase an unlimited number of pills. In May 2013, Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra, told the Associated Press they will begin selling the drug directly to people on its website. Pfizer's patents on Viagra expired outside the US in 2012; in the US they were set to expire, but Pfizer settled litigation with each of Mylan and Teva which agreed that both companies could introduce generics in the US in December 2017. [79][80] In December 2017, Pfizer released its own generic version of Viagra. As of 2018[update], the US Food and Drug Administration has approved fifteen drug manufacturers to market generic sildenafil in the United States.
Recreational use
Seven of these companies are based in India. The patent for Pfizer's Viagra sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction expired in April 2020. In 2026 a chocolate syrup called Boner Bears from Lockout Supplements was recalled through the FDA because of it containing Sildenafil as an undisclosed ingredient. Counterfeit Viagra, despite generally being cheaper,[88] can contain harmful substances or substances that affect how Viagra works, such as blue printer ink, amphetamines, metronidazole, boric acid, and rat poison. Viagra is one of the world's most counterfeited medicines.
How is sildenafil supplied (dosage forms)?
[90][91] According to a 2012 Pfizer study, around 80% of sites claiming to sell Viagra were selling counterfeits. An October 2023 release stated that erectile dysfunction medicines were the most seized drugs by the Interpol[92] accounting for 22% of seizures. In 1992, Pfizer filed a patent covering the substance sildenafil and its use to treat cardiovascular diseases. [96] This would be marketed as Revatio. The patent was published in 1993 and expired in 2012. "Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ischaemia--pharmacologic approach and alternative treatment options". "Efficacy of Sildenafil on healthy humans in high‑altitude hypoxia at rest and during exercise: A meta‑analysis".
Who shouldn’t use Sildenafil tablets?
The patent on Revatio (indicated for pulmonary arterial hypertension rather than erectile dysfunction) expired in late 2012. Generic versions of this low-dose form of sildenafil have been available in the US from a number of manufacturers, including Greenstone, Mylan, and Watson, since early 2013. [97] Health care providers may prescribe generic sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. [98] For a time, the generic was not available in the same dosages as branded Viagra, so using dosages typically required for treating ED required patients to take multiple pills. In 1994, Pfizer filed a patent covering the use of sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunction.
What is sildenafil used for?
[99] This would be marketed as Viagra. This patent was published in 2002 and expired in 2019. Teva sued to have the latter patent invalidated, but Pfizer prevailed in an August 2011 federal district court case. [100] An agreement with Pfizer allowed Teva to begin to provide the generic drug in December 2017. In the United States, Pfizer received two patents for sildenafil: one for its indication to treat cardiovascular disease (marketed as Revatio) and another for its indication to treat erectile dysfunction (marketed as Viagra).
Erectile dysfunction
The substance is the same under both brand names. Sildenafil is available as a generic drug in the United States, labeled for pulmonary arterial hypertension,[98] and to treat erectile dysfunction, as the patent expired in April 2020. In the US, Revatio and Viagra are marketed by Viatris after Upjohn was spun off from Pfizer. In Canada, Pfizer's patent 2,324,324 for Revatio (sildenafil used to treat pulmonary hypertension) was found invalid by the Federal Court in June 2010, on an application by Ratiopharm Inc.[106][107] On 8 November 2012, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Pfizer's patent 2,163,446 on Viagra was invalid from the beginning because the company did not provide full disclosure in its application. The decision, Teva Canada Ltd. "Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 1.
Chemical synthesis
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020. PDE-5 inhibitors appear to have significant but moderate efficacy in secondary [Raynaud's phenomenon]. "Sublingual sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: faster onset of action with less dose". "The Serendipitous Story of Sildenafil: An Unexpected Oral Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction". Archived from the original on 10 June 2017.
- Erectile dysfunction affects a significant percentage of men in India.
- Viagra’s popularity in India has grown due to social and demographic factors.
- Indian doctors often prescribe Viagra for age-related sexual health issues.
- The stigma around ED in India is reducing with greater awareness and available treatment.
- FDA-approved generics in India must adhere to strict manufacturing and testing standards.
- The Indian market provides a variety of dosages to suit individual needs.
- Some Indian pharmacies offer home delivery of Viagra with prescription validation.
- The cost-effectiveness of Indian Viagra makes it a preferred choice worldwide.
- Women in India are increasingly advocating for sexual health products including ED medications.
- Continued research in India aims to develop new formulations for erectile dysfunction.
^ "FDA Updates Labeling for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra for Rare Post-Marketing Reports of Eye Problems" (Press release). Archived from the original on 22 October 2016.
Medical uses
Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. ^ Nichols DJ, Muirhead GJ, Harness JA (6 March 2002). "Pharmacokinetics of sildenafil after single oral doses in healthy male subjects: absolute bioavailability, food effects and dose proportionality". "Vision disorders and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: a review of the evidence to date".
- Sildenafil was originally developed by Pfizer and later produced generically in India.
- Indian companies hold a significant share of the global sildenafil market.
- Male age group most commonly using Viagra in India ranges from 40 to 60 years.
- Viagra’s effects typically last 4 to 6 hours, depending on individual health.
- The Indian pharmaceutical industry exports sildenafil-based medicines to over 150 countries.
- Some Indian brands produce extra-fast-acting Viagra formulations.
- The World Health Organization recognizes Indian sildenafil drugs as safe when approved.
- Education about proper Viagra use is increasing through Indian health campaigns.
- Pharmacovigilance systems monitor adverse effects of Viagra in the Indian population.
- Research continues into improving bioavailability and reducing side effects of Viagra.
^ "FDA Announces Revisions to Labels for Cialis, Levitra and Viagra".
- Viagra has been used in India since the early 2000s to combat erectile dysfunction.
- Generic Viagra in India is often 50-80% cheaper than branded versions.
- The Indian market also offers alternatives like Kamagra and Suhagra for ED treatment.
- Online pharmacies in India often provide discreet packaging for Viagra products.
- Some foreign tourists buy Viagra from Indian pharmacies due to lower prices.
- Usage guidelines emphasize not exceeding the recommended dose to avoid adverse effects.
- Counterfeit Viagra is a concern; always ensure purchasing from trusted sources.
- Viagra effectiveness can be enhanced with healthy lifestyle choices and exercise.
- There's ongoing research on Viagra's potential benefits beyond ED, such as pulmonary hypertension.
- Regular medical tests are suggested for long-term use of sildenafil-based medications.
"Drug interactions with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension". "Pharmacology and drug interaction effects of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors: focus on alpha-blocker interactions".
| Year | Estimated Sales (Million USD) | Market Share (%) | Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 120 | 15 | 5 |
| 2021 | 135 | 16 | 12 |
| 2022 | 150 | 17 | 11 |
| 2023 | 165 | 18 | 10 |