Why Over-the-Counter Viagra & ED Drugs Are Risky
When you have a cold, you probably head to the drugstore to buy cough medicine and throat lozenges. If you have a headache, you might pick up some acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available for a wide range of ailments, and the fact that they’re usually readily available and affordable makes them convenient to use.
But when it comes to men’s health conditions like erectile dysfunction, you won’t find medications like Viagra over the counter in any gas station or local pharmacy. These sexual health medications are available by prescription only, and anything claiming to be like them or do what they do can be—and usually is—more trouble than it's worth.
Below, we’ve outlined what exactly over-the-counter “Viagra substitutes” are, and why these are best avoided in favor of real, proven options for ED, including brand-name Viagra and its generic version, sildenafil (also called sildenafil citrate).
What are Over The Counter Viagra Substitutes?
Search online for terms like “over-the-counter Viagra” and you’ll find page after page advertising Viagra “substitutes” that are available without a prescription. You may not immediately think aspirin erectile dysfunction medication as a Viagra substitute though.
You can find these "Viagra substitutes" behind the counter at your local gas station (somewhere between the blunt wraps and the iPhone 6 chargers), as well as in places like local convenience stores, sex shops, and even online.
And you know those banner ads you see on those "certain websites" that you only ever go to for research purposes? Yeah, you can find them there, too.
Most of these products are supplements that haven’t been tested or approved by the FDA. For the most part, there’s no proof that they provide any real benefits for your sexual performance or that they work effectively to treat erectile dysfunction.
And since they’re sold without a prescription, they may be unsafe if you use other types of medication, especially for hypertension (high blood pressure) or heart disease.
That said, concerns over affordability and the perceived hassle of obtaining a prescription drug drive many men with ED to seek out other options, which sometimes include OTC erectile dysfunction drugs or “Viagra substitutes.”
What's So Bad About OTC ED Pills?
Most over-the-counter Viagra substitutes usually contain herbal ingredients such as horny goat weed, ginseng and L-arginine.
The most recent scientific evidence on the effectiveness of these herbal ingredients is mixed, at best, with many performing no better in testing than placebos.
Overall, there’s very little evidence that these herbal supplements have any real benefits for erections, sexual desire or general sexual activity. As such, it’s best not to rely on them as any type of reliable treatment for ED.
In addition to their lack of efficacy data, it’s especially important to avoid over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra due to the large amount of unknown, frequently unlabeled ingredients that are used in these products.
This means you face a real risk of experiencing drug interactions if you use these products with other prescription medications. Like Spanish fly and other alternative products, these products are all flash and no substance.
So, when it comes to the questions, “Is Viagra over the counter?” or “Can you get Cialis without a doctor's prescription?” the answer is a definitive no. If you see over-the-counter Viagra, or any cleverly marketed “Viagra substitutes,” it should be avoided at all costs.
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Other Popular Over-the-Counter ED Pills and Risks
If you take a stroll through the aisles at your local drug store, you’ll probably come across a variety of options for over-the-counter erectile dysfunction supplements. Many packages for supplements read:
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
That’s because the FDA doesn’t regulate these statements — something that makes them different from the likes of Viagra.
Some OTC ED pills on the market include:
Libido Max®
Male Extra®
Virectin®
VigRX Plus®
When shopping for OTC erectile dysfunction remedies, you’ll find that most are marketed as “male enhancement” pills.
Many claim to be designed for more than just boosting erectile function — some also claim to increase stamina, improve libido and boost testosterone levels.
In a nutshell, they’re all billed as over-the-counter ED pills that work fast. But not quite. There’s no guarantee—or even FDA approval—that these are safe to use or in any way effective at treating erectile dysfunction.
OTC ED Pills with FDA Warnings
We mentioned above that OTC ED pills aren't regulated by the FDA and why that's potentially dangerous, so now let's talk about specific products.
Over the years, the FDA has issued numerous health warnings about tainted over-the-counter male enhancement pills. In fact, the FDA has issued so many warnings that it maintains a large online database that lists tainted sexual enhancement products.
Products on the list include several of the supplements we mentioned above, as well as brands such as:
Man Up Now®
Stiff Nights®
Rock Hard Weekend®
Duro Extend Capsules For Men®
Vigor-25®
Magic Power Coffee®
Time Out®
Mr. Magic Male Enhancer®
Vitalex®
Xiadafil VIP Tabs®
With OTC erection pills, the potentially harmful ingredients are not only improperly listed on the product labeling, but they’re often used in unsafe doses.
Many of these products have been found to contain other chemicals, some of which have yet to undergo testing.
As such, if you’re considering an “all-natural” over-the-counter alternative to Viagra, our recommendation would be to like, not do it, man.
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The over-the-counter branded version of sildenafil. Viagra Connect® improves blood flow to the penis, helping you achieve and maintain strong and satisfying erections.
Important safety information for Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Tadalafil Daily or Viagra Connect.
What Should You Use to Treat ED Instead of OTC Viagra?
While over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra might seem appealing, you’ll get better results—and keep yourself safer—by working with your healthcare provider to find the right medication for your erectile dysfunction.
They’ll be able to help you identify the underlying cause of your ED and determine the best type of treatment, some of which include:
Prescription Medication
Therapy and Mental Healthcare
Changes to your Diet
Reduced Stress
Increased Exercise
Less drinking and no smoking
Let’s take a look at a few of these in detail.
Prescription ED Medications
If you have erectile dysfunction caused by a physical health issue, using ED medication to improve your erections might be the best option.
These medications work by increasing blood flow to your penis, which can make it easier to get and maintain an erection when you feel sexually aroused.
Currently, there are several safe and effective FDA-approved medications for treating ED. With a prescription from your healthcare provider, you can purchase ED drugs such as:
sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra)
tadalafil (Cialis)
vardenafil (Levitra®)
avanafil (Stendra®)
Some of these medications are designed for daily use to improve your erectile function over the long term, while others can be used as needed.
We offer several ED medications via our online platform, following a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. This allows you to quickly and easily access FDA-approved medications for ED from home without any awkward visits to your primary care provider’s office.
Lifestyle Changes
We’re not waving crystals around here or talking about your aura or anything. Making simple changes to your habits and lifestyle can improve your erections and sexual performance.
You can reduce the severity of ED (or potentially stop it altogether) by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.
Our guide to naturally protecting your erection can walk you through strategies to get started on your own.
Therapy
Here’s another not-so-fun fact about ED: It’s not all about the physical stuff. In fact, around 40 percent—nearly half—of all ED cases are psychological in origin, according to some research.
If you’re experiencing some psychological hangups that are causing you some grief in the bedroom—things like PTSD, past trauma, performance anxiety, etc.—therapeutic practices might be just what the doctor ordered. Literally.
We also want to say this: Hey, friend. It’s okay. How you feel is normal and very common, and most importantly, it’s treatable.
Psychotherapy—like cognitive-behavioral therapy or sex therapy—is an excellent way for you to work one on one with a mental health provider to isolate your sexual sticking points and grease those bearings.
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Getting Pills Like Viagra Over the Counter: What You Really Need to Know
We all want on-demand erection and ejaculation. Needing help is normal for many men, but getting that help unsafely is… Well, it’s unsafe.
The little blue pill Viagra is a prescription medication for ED, so to get it, you’ll need to talk to a licensed healthcare provider and receive a valid prescription before you can legally purchase and use it.
ED Solutions are big business. Erectile dysfunction is such a widespread issue for men of all ages, so it’s no wonder that there are so many prescription and over-the-counter medications out there to treat it.
A lot of what you see on shelves isn’t going to work. Many over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra that are marketed online and sold in gas stations, sex stores and elsewhere aren’t effective.
Those OTC medications could also be dangerous. Many contain unlabeled ingredients that could be dangerous if used with other medications. As such, if you’re considering trying those gas station boner pills you saw for sale for just a few dollars, you should think again.
Instead of using ineffective and potentially unsafe over-the-counter alternatives, consider an affordable generic medication, such as sildenafil or tadalafil. We offer these medications via our online ED consultation as part of our range of erectile dysfunction treatment options.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.
