Viagra, the erectile dysfunction (ED) drug from Pfizer, is only available with a prescription. Many men however, are still uncomfortable or embarrassed talking about ED. Most of these men have to overcome their fears or suffer in silence. They cannot send their spouse, significant other, or a friend to the store because there is no legal over the counter Viagra in the US. There are however, other options to obtain ED medication that some men may not know of. These other options however, introduce health concerns that are more important than a little embarrassment.
More and more men are turning to the Internet to buy ED medication. Many medications, from blood pressure medication to anti-depressants and ED treatments are available online. A simple Google search for “buy Viagra online” returns over ten million pages, most of which are online pharmacies selling Viagra anonymously. How can Viagra be sold anonymously when a prescription is required? For every online pharmacy, there is an online doctor.
Most websites get around the prescription need by making men go through a brief consultation with an online physician. This consultation may actually be supervised by a licensed physician. But it is unlikely that any one physician could handle the traffic that many of these sites see. This means that an unqualified individual, or possible computer program, could be passing buyers through under the “supervision” of a doctor on staff. Even if there are enough actual physicians to meet the number of buyers, the problem is that a physician cannot adequately examine a patient from a questionnaire filled out online. Since no tests are run, the doctor has no way to confirm or deny what the patient says. Prescribing a drug like Viagra without a thorough examination can lead to catastrophic consequences.
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the penis causing more blood flow. This relaxing of smooth muscles also causes a drop in blood pressure. A man who is taking nitrates, which also causes a drop in blood pressure, for a heart condition that also takes Viagra could cause a dramatic drop in pressure, and potentially death.
An online doctor cannot truly know if a patient has a heart condition or takes nitrates. This potential complication is the primary reason why the FDA has never approved Viagra for over the counter sales. In the UK, Pfizer lost its patent to use sildenafil as a treatment for ED. Starting in February 2007; Boots the Chemist became the first pharmacy in the UK to begin selling over the counter Viagra. Men are allowed to purchase the pills after a live consultation with a pharmacist. So far, Boots the Chemist remains the only place in the world where a man can buy over the counter Viagra.
Besides questionably obtained actual Viagra, there are also herbs that contain Sildenafil and are bought legally over the counter. Commonly advertised as “herbal Viagra” or “Viagra alternatives,” these herbs can be bought at almost any health food store and everywhere online. Since these herbs contain actual Sildenafil, the same potential hazards from Viagra exist. The FDA does not have the authority to regulate herbs either. This means that there is no guarantee that each batch contains the amount of Sildenafil advertised. A person could be shorted what they paid for, or worse.
Are their any safe and legal options for purchasing over the counter Viagra or Viagra alternatives? Unfortunately, not at the moment. Pfizer has been trying to get the FDA to allow over the counter Viagra. While they have been unsuccessful thus far, the Boots the Chemist trial run in the UK could pave the way for FDA approval, if the trial is successful. Until then, gentlemen suffering from ED should see their physician for a complete physical and proper prescription.