Viagra Prices: A Complete Guide to How Much Viagra Costs

Widely known as the “little blue pill,” Viagra®, which contains the active ingredient sildenafil, is one of the most popular prescription medications on the market for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).

When Viagra first became available in the late 1990s, prices for Viagra tablets were generally high. The price of Viagra remained high throughout the 2000s as Pfizer, the company that first developed and produced the medication, maintained exclusive rights to Viagra.

Today, Viagra is widely available in its generic form as sildenafil at significantly more affordable prices.

Below, we’ve explained how Viagra pricing works, as well as the difference in pricing between the brand-name drug version of Viagra and sildenafil (generic Viagra). 

We’ve also explained the other costs that go into a pack of Viagra, from a healthcare provider’s visit to insurance and more. 

Finally, we’ve shared a few tips that you can use to get the best pricing for Viagra and other ED medications, such as Cialis® (tadalafil) and Stendra® (avanafil). 

What is Viagra?

Viagra is one of the most popular medications on the market for treating erectile dysfunction. It was first approved by the FDA in March of 1998, and has since been used in both brand name and generic forms by millions of men to treat ED.

In fact, in the six months after Viagra was approved by the FDA, 5.3 million prescriptions were written for the medication by healthcare providers.

Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, belongs to a class of medications that are referred to as PDE5 inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the effects of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5, which is responsible for regulating blood flow to certain areas of your body.

Phosphodiesterase-5, or PDE5, is found inside the smooth muscle of blood vessels. When the effects of PDE5 are inhibited, the blood vessels that supply blood to your penis dilate, improving blood flow to your penis. 

Erections are all about healthy blood flow. When you’re sexually aroused, your nervous system signals to your penis, prompting blood to flow into your corpora cavernosa (a pair of sponge-like areas of tissue inside your penis).

This blood is held inside your penis by a fibrous membrane called the tunica albuginea, allowing you to stay hard during sex. 

Most of the time, erectile dysfunction occurs when a physical or psychological factor gets in the way of this process taking place properly.

For example, physical conditions that affect your cardiovascular system, such as heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes and injuries to the tissue around your penis, can all potentially cause or contribute to ED by affecting blood flow.

Psychological factors that can cause erectile dysfunction include anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt about sex and general stress about life. These may not reduce blood flow directly, but they can contribute to a reduced level of interest in or comfort about sexual activity. 

The sildenafil in Viagra doesn’t cause you to become sexually aroused, meaning you’ll still need to be sexually stimulated and in the mood for sex in order for it to work.

However, by improving blood flow to your penis, medications like Viagra generally make it much easier to get and stay hard if you’re prone to erectile dysfunction. 

Viagra isn’t the only treatment for ED, nor is it the only PDE5 medication that’s available at the moment. Similar medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction include: 

• Cialis®. This medication contains the active ingredient tadalafil. It has a longer half-life than other ED drugs, allowing it to treat ED for up to 36 hours on one dose and giving it a reputation as a “weekend pill” for treating erectile dysfunction.

• Levitra®. This medication contains the active ingredient vardenafil. It lasts for a similar amount of time to Viagra and is normally used as a one-night ED treatment.

• Stendra®. This newer medication contains the active ingredient avanafil. It acts quickly and can provide relief from ED in as little as 15 minutes. It also has a lower risk of side effects than other ED medications.

In some cases, ED may be treated with a combination of medication and other techniques, such as cognitive behavioral sex therapy.

Our guide to the treatment options for erectile dysfunction discusses the medications and other treatments available for ED in more detail. 

Advantages of Viagra

While Viagra is no longer the newest ED medication on the block, it offers a few advantages that can make it worth considering over other ED drugs. Compared to other medications available to treat ED, Viagra and generic sildenafil has the following advantages:

• It’s widely available and well known. Viagra is the most well-known medication for ED, and arguably one of the best known of all medications. Once you have a prescription, it’s easy to purchase Viagra or generic sildenafil from almost any pharmacy.

• It has a proven track record. When it comes to side effects, safety and general ease of use, we know lots about Viagra. Since it’s been around for more than two decades, there is a huge amount of research published on its effects as an ED medication

• It’s a short-acting ED medication. Compared to longer-lasting ED medications such as Cialis, Viagra has a relatively short half-life. For most men, a normal dose will offer relief from ED for approximately four hours.While this may be a disadvantage for some, it’s also an advantage, especially if you’re prone to side effects from ED medications and want to avoid a treatment that lingers in your body for several days.

• It’s available as a generic. Thanks to its age, Viagra has an ​​expired patent and is now available as a generic ED medication. This means it’s very affordable to buy sildenafil -- the active ingredient in Viagra -- as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

How Much Does Viagra Cost?

The exact price of Viagra can vary based on your location, your insurance status, the dosage of Viagra you’re prescribed and the pharmacy from which you purchase medication. 

We offer brand name Viagra from $70 per dose, with its generic equivalent sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) available from $4 per dose. 

The price of Viagra and sildenafil may vary with other vendors and pharmacies. It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll also need to see a healthcare provider  before you can legally purchase sildenafil -- a factor that may increase the cost of using this medication in the short term. 

Depending on how often you plan to have sex, the cost of using brand name Viagra may range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 or more per month. Generic sildenafil offers a significantly better degree of value at anywhere from $20 to approximately $100 per month. 

Viagra vs. Generic Sildenafil Pricing

The brand-name prescription drug Viagra that’s marketed by Pfizer and generic sildenafil both contain the same active ingredient, and both medications have the exact same effects in your body. 

As the FDA explains, generic medications are required by law to be the same as its brand name equivalent in dosage, safety, effectiveness, strength, stability and quality, as well as in the way it is taken. 

Drug companies that produce generic medications are also required to do so in an environment that’s held to the same strict standards as that of the brand name medication.

In other words, the generic sildenafil that’s legally sold in the United States provides exactly the same effects as brand name Viagra and is equally safe to use.

So, why is there such a huge difference in price between the branded medication sold as Viagra and its generic equivalent? 

For several decades, the pharmaceutical company Pfizer maintained exclusive rights to produce and market sildenafil as Viagra. Pfizer also marketed sildenafil under the brand name Revatio® as a medication for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

However, as with other brand-name drugs, these exclusive rights eventually expired, ending the period in which Pfizer exclusively controlled the manufacture and sale of sildenafil. 

Today, it’s legal for other companies to produce and sell sildenafil under their own brand names, packaging and pricing. Like with other generic medications, generic sildenafil is significantly less expensive than name-brand Viagra. 

Interestingly, Viagra has bucked a long-running trend that’s usually associated with medications that go generic. Usually, when a medication becomes widely available as a generic, the price of the brand name medication is reduced to make it more competitive.

With Viagra, prices for the brand name medication have stayed consistently high, even after the arrival of cheap generics. Experts have proposed a range of theories to explain this, from inertia about changing to the generic to the simple power of the Viagra brand name.

After all, few medications are as memorable as the little blue pill, which was the subject of huge spending on TV ads and other marketing efforts when it first launched. 

Viagra Price vs. Other ED Medications

In general, it’s best not to compare different ED medications too directly when it comes to value for money. This is because each medication offers different advantages, such as a certain level of convenience, duration of action or risk of causing side effects. 

However, to put the prices above in perspective, we’ve compared the cost of Viagra and generic sildenafil to the ED medications Cialis (which contains tadalafil) and Stendra (avanafil).

• Cialis. Brand name Cialis is priced from approximately $10 to $60 per tablet, depending on the dosage. We offer Cialis from $525 per month and tadalafil, its generic equivalent, from $99 per month. Because of Cialis’s long-lasting effects, it may be a better choice if you want to have sex more spontaneously or more than once per day.

• Stendra. We offer Stendra from $59 per dose. Because Stendra is a recently developed medication for ED, it isn’t available as a generic yet. 

Other Viagra Pricing Factors to Keep in Mind

Viagra is a prescription drug, meaning you’ll need to factor in the price of talking to a healthcare provider if you don’t already have a valid prescription.

The cost of visiting a licensed healthcare provider to talk about ED treatment may vary based on your location, insurance plan and other factors. You can either visit your primary care provider or talk to a specialist in men’s reproductive health, such as a urologist.

A more affordable option is to talk to a licensed healthcare provider online about treating erectile dysfunction with Viagra or similar medication. 

In addition to the cost of seeing a healthcare provider, there are a few other factors that you will need to keep in mind when comparing Viagra prices:

• Shipping and handling charges. If you’re purchasing Viagra online, you’ll need to keep in mind the cost of shipping and handling. This isn’t an issue if you purchase Viagra from a local pharmacy instead of online.

• Time and convenience. If you’re located far away from a local pharmacy, buying Viagra in person might be costly in terms of time. An extra advantage of buying Viagra online is that it reduces the amount of time you need to spend picking up your medication.

• Viagra dosage. Viagra and generic sildenafil can range in price based on the dosage of each tablet. Viagra is available as a 25mg, 50mg or 100mg tablet, while sildenafil is sold in a variety of dosages from 20mg to 100mg.When you’re purchasing Viagra, check that you’re getting the correct dosage. Make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions when you take Viagra, sildenafil or other medications for erectile dysfunction.

• Authenticity. Viagra is one of the most counterfeited medications in the world, and if it’s available at a price that seems too good to be real, it might not be. When you’re looking at Viagra prices online, make sure you’re buying from a reputable vendor. 

In addition to the factors above, it’s important to remember that Viagra and sildenafil can only be purchased as prescription medicines. 

Many over-the-counter ED “treatments” marketed as alternatives to Viagra do not contain active ingredients that are supported by scientific research. Others may contain unlabeled ingredients, including ingredients that may be harmful.

It’s always best to be careful when you see Viagra, sildenafil or other ED medications available for sale without any need for a prescription, at a very low price or from a vendor that’s based in a foreign country.

The FDA maintains a database of tainted sexual enhancement products that contains a lengthy list of Viagra “alternatives” and over-the-counter ED products. Many of these products contain sildenafil, often in dangerous amounts and without proper labeling. 

To protect yourself from scams and unsafe medication, look for signs that a healthcare vendor is reputable, such as Better Business Bureau® accreditation or a LegitScript® Seal of Approval. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Viagra Pricing

Is Viagra Covered by Insurance?

Although coverage can vary from one insurance company to another, most insurance providers don’t cover brand name Viagra. However, many provide coverage for generic sildenafil or other forms of generic medication for ED. 

If you have health insurance and want to use Viagra to treat ED, you can contact your insurance provider to find out more about medication coverage.

How Much Does Viagra Cost at Walgreens, CVS and Other Pharmacies?

Pricing for Viagra and sildenafil at Walgreens, Walmart, CVS Pharmacy, Kroger Pharmacy and other retail pharmacies can vary based on numerous factors, including your location, insurance provider, current discount prices and more. 

If you have a prescription for Viagra and want to fill it at your local pharmacy or pharmacy chain, it’s best to call the nearest pharmacy location for the exact price before you visit.

Is Viagra the Only Medication for Treating Erectile Dysfunction?

Although Viagra is the most well-known medication for treating erectile dysfunction, it’s definitely not the only treatment option that’s available. 

Several other FDA-approved drugs are available to treat ED, including Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil) and Stendra (avanafil). 

These medications are PDE5 inhibitors that work in the same way as Viagra to improve blood flow and treat ED. Our guide to the most common ED medications provides more information about how they work, unique advantages, side effects and more. 

Can Viagra Cause Side Effects?

Viagra is a safe and effective medication for most men. However, like other medications, some men who use Viagra and generic sildenafil experience side effects.

Common side effects of Viagra include headache, flushing, indigestion, abnormal vision (color vision changes or blurred vision), nasal congestion, back pain, muscle pain, nausea, dizziness and skin rash.

Viagra may also cause other side effects. Our guide to the side effects of Viagra provides more information about Viagra’s potential side effects and interactions. 

How to Pay the Lowest Price for Viagra

With the right approach, you can significantly reduce the amount you spend for Viagra, sildenafil or other ED medications. Try the following techniques to get better value for money: 

• Stick to generics. You’ll always save money by choosing the generic drug. The generic version of Viagra is just as effective at treating as the medication made by Pfizer, and it’s an ideal choice if you want to take advantage of the lower cash price for generics.

• Check your insurance coverage. Insurance coverage for brand name Viagra can vary from provider to provider. However, many insurance companies do provide coverage for generic ED drugs. To save money on generic sildenafil or other ED medications, make sure to contact your insurance provider before making a purchase at your local pharmacy.

• Use patient assistance programs (PAPs). Some drug companies offer assistance for eligible patients. For example, Pfizer offers an RxPathways program for people in need of discounted or free prescription drugs.

• Look for Viagra coupons. Many pharmacies offer coupons and promotional discounts for Viagra, generic sildenafil and other medications. If you buy Viagra locally, try asking at your pharmacy to see if any discounts are available.

• Use telehealth to your advantage. Finally, consider buying your Viagra online. With our telehealth service, you can access both brand-name and generic Viagra, as well as other ED medications, with affordable pricing and discreet home delivery.

Learn More About Treating ED

Viagra can vary significantly in price based on your location, your healthcare provider and your choice of brand name Viagra or generic sildenafil. 

We offer brand-name Viagra from $70 per use and generic sildenafil from just $4 per use, giving you the option to access ED medication at an affordable price.

Interested in learning more about treating ED? Our guide to what to expect from ED medication explains how erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra work, as well as side effects that you should be aware of when treating ED.