The term "Viagra" is the most searched word on the world wide web and access to the medication has vastly increased thanks to online channels. With many sites, companies and prices advertised it's difficult to determine who can guarantee a trustworthy source. Buying Viagra online can be risky and there are some questions you should ask before buying:

Where is the company based?

A UK registered company is answerable to UK laws and regulations on prescribing and supplying medications. By law a UK site must offer a doctor's consultation where you will be required to answer a medical questionnaire. Based on the your medical information the doctor will decide whether it is safe to prescribe you medications online.

Your details will be protected by the UK Data Protection Act and will not be passed on to third parties.

Is the Viagra genuine or generic?

Viagra and the other two erectile dysfunction medications Cialis and Levitra are copyright protected which means that only the pharmaceutical companies responsible for their development (Viagra Pfizer, Cialis Lilly and Co, Levitra Bayer) can legally produce the active ingredient eg Sildenafil Citrate and advertise their brand names. Viagra soft, Vialis, Lovitra and Kamagra are just a few generic names of drugs which are illegal copies of the genuine medications. These generic copies come from India, China and other countries which disregard copyright laws and consumer rights. The pills may be cheap, however, companies that sell these copies care little about how the drugs are made and cannot guarantee they are safe to take or that you won't experience unknown side effects.

Once the copyright on Viagra medications runs out, other UK based companies like Boots and Superdrug will be able to legally manufacturer cheap generic versions according to specific standards ensuring a similar quality to the Pfizer made Viagra. Remember this is still not the case!

Where are the medications shipped from?

Pfizer has manufacturing plants local to each country making it easier to check whether the pack you receive is indeed genuine Viagra sidenafil citrate using the LOT number and by calling the local representative indicated on the medicine's patient leaflet. The most important detail to check is that your medications come from within the UK or another EU country.

If the medications are shipped from outside Europe you may want to ask why and where these are coming from. Medicines from outside the EU may incurr customs charges and if the medications are inspected and found to be illegal generics they will be confiscated and destroyed leaving you out of pocket.

It is your responsability to find out whether you are allowed to import medications according to your own country's laws.

Can I speak to anyone at the company for information?

When buying from a new company it is worth giving customer services a quick call. If you have any questions they should hopefully be able to answer these leaving you confident of the service you will be provided. Not being able to reach anyone should ring alarm bells, no good reputable company would prevent you from getting in touch.

Viagra information

An erection is not an automatic response but rather a reaction to a number of physical and psychological factors. Viagra Sildenafil helps treat erectile dysfunction, a common problem in men, by blocking the action of phosphodiesterase type 5. This action helps the bloods vessels to remain dialated for longer improving blood flow. Taking Viagra will facilitate gaining and maintaining an erection, but does not guarantee a 100% robotic response. You still need sexual stimulation and the desire to have sex.

Viagra Sildenafil should be taken about an hour before you intend to have sex.

Viagra side effects

The most commonly reported side effects of Sildenafil are:

If you have more severe reactions to the medications please contact your GP or another doctor.