What erectile dysfunction treatments are available online in the UK?

Around 4.3m men in the UK live with erectile dysfunction (ED).

It’s most common in older men, affecting 50-55% of men aged 40-70. But it also affects up to 26% of men under the age of 40.

As well as age, ED can be caused by a number of factors including physical health conditions, psychological barriers and lifestyle factors.

In most cases, it’s easy to solve by seeking medical treatment, addressing stressful problems or making simple changes.

But this can take time. And many men want to continue enjoying a healthy, active sex life while they’re solving the underlying cause.

That’s why erectile dysfunction treatments like Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis) and Vardenafil are so popular.

However, these regulated medicines are only available with a prescription (or, in the case of Sildenafil, from a pharmacy at a low dose).. And although ED is quite common at all ages, some men are reluctant to ask for treatment through a traditional face-to-face consultation.

A quicker and more discreet option is to buy ED medication in the UK through a trusted online healthcare provider like The Online Clinic.

We offer a convenient and confidential way to access proven erectile dysfunction treatments without the need for an in-person appointment or an existing prescription.

Simply register as a patient, start your free consultation and complete a short medical health questionnaire. Then one of our licensed doctors will make a diagnosis and prescribe ED tablets online for delivery anywhere in the UK.

With over 20 years’ experience, The Online Clinic is one of the most well-established online healthcare providers. And we’re one of only a handful that fully complies with the strict regulations of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), as well as being licensed by the Care Quality Commission.

Unlike unlicensed and unregulated online sellers based offshore, with The Online Clinic you can always have confidence in receiving safe, effective and authentic erectile dysfunction treatments.

Register as a patient today to buy genuine ED medication online in the UK.

Best treatment for erectile dysfunction: Sildenafil vs tadalafil vs vardenafil

There are many different erectile dysfunction treatments on the market, from medications and injections to implants and surgery.

But for most men, the best treatment for erectile dysfunction is simply to take a tablet.

It’s easy, non-invasive, effective and usually comes with no side effects at all.

The 3 most popular oral erectile dysfunction treatments are:

• Viagra (with the active ingredient sildenafil)
• Cialis (which uses tadalafil)
• Vardenafil (formerly branded as Levitra)

In many ways, these medications are the same. But they differ slightly in effectiveness, dose, speed of action and how long they last.

So let’s take a look at sildenafil vs tadalafil vs vardenafil to see what they have in common and what sets them apart.

Here’s what all 3 erectile dysfunction treatments share

How they work

Sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil are all popular oral erectile dysfunction treatments that fall into the category of PDE-5 inhibitors.

They work by relaxing your blood vessels and allowing more blood to flow into your penis.

This helps you get and maintain an erection for penetrative sex.

Oral erectile dysfunction treatments don’t cause an erection by themselves. They just make it easier to get one when you’re sexually aroused.

So you don’t need to worry about having a persistent erection until the medication wears off! In the highly unlikely event of this happening, you need to seek urgent medical attention. This condition (known as priapism) can lead to permanent tissue damage if not treated quickly.

Who can take them

Most men aged 18 and over can safely take sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil for ED.

These pills are often a first-line treatment because they’re affordable, effective and rarely out of stock with suppliers.

But oral erectile dysfunction treatments might not be safe for you if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient
• Take medications containing nitrates
• Have a heart, liver or kidney problem
• Have recently had a stroke or heart attack
• Have low blood pressure or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Have ever lost your vision due to reduced blood flow to the eye
• Have a bleeding problem like haemophilia
• Have a stomach ulcer
• Have sickle cell anaemia (a genetic blood disorder)
• Have leukaemia (blood cancer)
• Have multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer)
• Have a curved or deformed penis

Thankfully, these only apply to a very, very small number of men.

Once you start your free consultation, you can tell us if any of these apply to you in your medical health questionnaire. And one of our UK-licensed doctors will thoroughly review your prescription request to make sure any treatment we prescribe is appropriate for you.

Speak to a qualified doctor

Common side effects

Most people who use oral erectile dysfunction treatments experience no side effects at all. And those who do usually report that they’re very mild.

The most common side effects of erectile dysfunction medication, affecting around 1 in 100 people, include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Dizziness
• Stuffy nose
• Flushing
• Changes in vision

If you’re experiencing side effects, you can arrange a follow-up appointment at any time to discuss your treatment.

Your doctor might recommend changing the dosage or suggest you try a different medication.

Risks

It’s usually safe to take sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil for months or even years.

But they can be dangerous if you also take:

• Nitrates for chest pain, as the combination can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure
• Poppers, which contain amyl nitrite
• Stimulants like ecstasy (MDMA) or cocaine
• Hallucinogens like LSD
• Novel psychoactive substances like mephedrone

It’s safe to drink alcohol while taking oral erectile dysfunction treatments. But remember that drinking a lot of alcohol can make it difficult to get an erection.

Here’s what each ED medication does differently

Sildenafil

Viagra, which uses the active ingredient sildenafil, is one of the most popular and widely used erectile dysfunction treatments in the world. And thanks to its high success rate of 91%, it’s usually the first recommended solution.

Sildenafil usually takes 30-60 minutes to work for erectile dysfunction. And it lasts for around 4-6 hours.

You can get sildenafil in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg doses. The standard dose is 50mg.

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Tadalafil

Around 85% of men report improved erections when taking the tadalafil medication Cialis.

This is very slightly lower than sildenafil. But while tadalafil also takes 30-60 minutes to work, it can remain effective for up to 36 hours. This makes it a popular choice for men who want to enjoy greater spontaneity in their sex life.

Tadalafil is also effective at lower dosages. It’s available in 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg and 20mg, with 10mg as the standard dose. The 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg doses are intended to be taken daily, rather than as required.

Due to its long active period, you should never take more than one tadalafil tablet a day regardless of the dose.

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Vardenafil

Levitra (branded vardenafil) is less well known than Viagra or Cialis. But it’s just as effective, with 85% of men achieving more reliable erections for first-time successful penetration.

What sets it apart is that it’s actually proven more effective in difficult-to-treat cases.

In patients who don’t respond to Viagra, up to 50% find success with Vardenafil instead. So even if sildenafil doesn’t work for you, there’s a good chance vardenafil will.

Like sildenafil, vardenafil takes 30-60 minutes to work after taking. And the effect lasts for 4-6 hours.

It’s available in 5mg, 10mg or 20mg doses. But the standard starting dose is 10mg.

As with tadalafil, never take more than one dose of vardenafil in any 24-hour period.

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A quick comparison of sildenafil vs tadalafil vs vardenafil

Get a prescription from a regulated UK provider

Before you can start medical treatment for erectile dysfunction, you’ll need a prescription.

You could go through the NHS. But it can take weeks to even get an appointment. And since the NHS has limited resources to service a huge population, you’ll need to meet very strict requirements to qualify for treatment.

That’s why thousands of men rely on The Online Clinic for fast, affordable and discreet access to ED medications.

We fully comply with the MHRA’s strict regulations on the sale and supply of prescription drugs, as well as the GPhC regulations on how medications should be presented. And we’re regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure you receive responsible treatment.

You don’t need an existing prescription to buy ED medication in the UK from The Online Clinic. All you need to do is follow our simple 5-step prescription process:

• Consultation: Register as a patient to start your free consultation. Then complete a short medical health questionnaire to tell us about your symptoms and health profile
• Diagnosis: One of our UK-licensed doctors will make a diagnosis and prescribe suitable medications if necessary. This usually takes just 30-60 minutes during normal business hours (7:00am-10:00pm)
• Purchase prescription: You can order any medications your doctor has prescribed online. And before you buy, you can get more information on any medication your doctor has approved for purchase
• Repeat prescriptions: When you need more tablets, log in to our secure patient portal and click on ‘View Allowed Treatment’. Choose the medication you want to purchase and place your order
• Delivery: If our system receives your order by 3:30pm Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded) it’ll be dispatched on the same business day, with options for next-day delivery. Your medication will arrive discreetly packaged with no mention of The Online Clinic or its contents

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11,800+ positive patient experiences

The Online Clinic provides an excellent, thorough and efficient service I would recommend The Online Clinic to anyone with a medical problem which is covered by their services. As a doctor myself I understand from both sides of the consulting table what is needed to provide a good and safe clinical service, but one which is centred on what the patient needs and wants. Good e-consultation process and one which covers all that is needed. Comprehensive range of treatments for erectile dysfunction, all drugs and doses covered at very reasonable cost. Michael Herbertson

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Find the best treatment for erectile dysfunction online

Register as a patient today to discuss erectile dysfunction treatments and get a safe, regulated prescription.

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Erectile dysfunction treatments FAQs

What is the most effective ED treatment?

ED tablets like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil) are proven to help most men.

Each one works slightly differently. But we can prescribe a starter kit of ED treatments so you can find out which is best for you.

Since ED tablets are low risk, trying several different medications is safe for most men. And we provide ongoing medical supervision to adjust dosage and treatment as necessary.

What is the best tablet for erectile dysfunction?

There’s no one best treatment for erectile dysfunction. Each one has different characteristics:

• Sildenafil has the highest success rate
• Tadalafil lasts for much longer
• Vardenafil is effective for sildenafil non-responders

Your doctor will work with you to find the best erectile dysfunction treatment for your needs.

Can I get ED medication online in the UK?

Yes, you can safely get ED tablets online in the UK through a regulated provider.

Be aware that there are many unlicensed online sellers. And these medications always require a prescription.

Make sure to choose a provider that offers a thorough consultation with a UK-licensed, GMC-registered doctor. And check that the medication is coming from a pharmacy registered with the GPhC. If based in England, the clinic should be licensed by the CQC.

When you buy ED medication in the UK through The Online Clinic, you can have confidence in a licensed, regulated and approved service.

Can I try more than one treatment?

Yes, you can. If one treatment doesn’t work or causes side effects, your doctor might suggest trying a different medication or adjusting the dose.

What works for one person might not work for another. So a personalised treatment plan is key.

The Online Clinic offers a starter kit of erectile dysfunction treatments to help you find the right medication.

Is it safe to order ED pills online?

It’s safe to buy ED tablets online in the UK if you use a reputable service like The Online Clinic.

Look for an online healthcare provider that’s:

• Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
• Staffed by UK-licensed doctors
• Open about offering a clear medical consultation process

Avoid sites that sell without a prescription or offer unbranded pills without proper regulation. When you buy from these sites, there’s no guarantee that the active ingredients or dosages are accurate. And the seller won’t know how these medications could harm your health.

What if I have side effects from ED tablets?

Most people don’t experience any side effects at all from ED tablets. And for those who do, they’re usually very mild.

About 1 in 10 people might experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, flushing, a stuffy nose or indigestion.

If you experience persistent or concerning symptoms, talk to your doctor. They might recommend changing the dose or trying a different treatment.

Which ED treatment has the fewest side effects?

All PDE-5 inhibitors – which includes sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil – have similar side effects. But individual tolerance varies.

If you’re having issues with one treatment, another might suit you better.

Can I stop taking ED meds once things improve?

Of course. Most men use erectile dysfunction treatments in the short term to continue enjoying a healthy, active sex life while they address the underlying cause of ED.

If your erections improve due to better health, reduced stress or other changes, you might no longer need medication.

Useful resources for erectile dysfunction treatments

National Health Service

• Sildenafil (Viagra): Medicine for erection problems
• Tadalafil: A medicine for erection problems

Patient.info

• Vardenafil for erectile dysfunction (Levitra)

Cambridge University Hospitals

• Viagra, Cialis or Levitra treatment for erectile dysfunction

Mayo Clinic

• Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications

Harvard Health

• Which drug for erectile dysfunction?
• Are erectile dysfunction pills safe for men with heart disease?

Healthline

• What is the safest drug for ED?
• 7 common side effects of erectile dysfunction medications

The Cardiology Advisor

• Erectile dysfunction drugs and nitrates: A dangerous combination