What is the difference between Viagra and Viagra Connect, and which one can you buy over the counter at Boots?
Both Viagra and Viagra Connect help to temporarily increase blood flow to the penis enabling a man to have an erection when aroused
AS of April 2018, erectile dysfunction medication Viagra is available to buy over the counter without the need for a prescription.
But where can you pick it up from and how much does it cost?
What's the difference between Viagra and Viagra Connect?
Viagra and Viagra Connect both have the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, which temporarily increases blood flow to the penis enabling an erection when aroused.
Typically Viagra comes in three doses, 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, but Viagra Connect is only available in the 50mg dose.
You can get hold of packs of four or eight tablets of Viagra Connect, with the blue diamond-shaped tablets looking the same as Viagra.
The only difference in the appearance is that Viagra Connect tablets have V50 stamped on the side, and Viagra tablets have VGR followed by 25/50/100 depending on the dosage.
Can I buy Viagra or Viagra Connect over the counter at Boots?
The Viagra available to buy has been marketed under the brand name of Viagra Connect.
As of April 16, 2018, Viagra Connect is available over the counter.
Men will be able to buy a pack of four pills from a pharmacist at Tesco, Asda and Morrisons for £19.99.
As well as at supermarkets, blokes will be able to pick up the erectile dysfunction medication from Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy.
The pills were sold exclusively by Boots for two weeks before going on sale in other stores. Boots has also been selling them online.
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Can anyone buy Viagra Connect over the counter?
The blue pills are available to men aged 18 and over, after an in-store consultation.
In order to pick up a pack, all you’ll need to do is have a quick conversation with your pharmacist.
Men will have to answer questions about their general health, and any other medication they are taking before being sold the drug.
And they will be advised to visit their GP within six months, to check for any underlying conditions that could be contributing to their erectile dysfunction - including diabetes and heart disease.
Around one in five men suffer from erectile problems, which is equivalent to 4.3million British men.