We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.
Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Viagra is a brand-name sildenafil drug that doctors can prescribe to help treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Viagra can start at $80 per dose, but the generic version, sildenafil, can cost as little as $2.
Here, we compare the options in this article by price.
| Viagra | Sildenafil (generic Viagra) | |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonaid | not available | $2 per dose |
| Hims | $139 per dose | $4 per dose |
| Optum Perks | dependant on pharmacy | dependant on pharmacy |
| Roman | $90 per dose | $4 per dose |
| Rex MD | from $80 per dose | from $10 per dose |
Viagra and sildenafil are available at different prices, depending on the brand name, retailer, and dose.
It is worth noting that people can use coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs (PAPs) to save money on sildenafil and Viagra.
Several companies sell Viagra and sildenafil online. The sections below provide a brief overview of each brand.
CVS (Target)
- Price for Viagra: from $200 per 2 tablets
- Price for sildenafil: from $34.11 per 2 tablets
People can find the pricing for Viagra and sildenafil on Optum Perks. According to this platform, CVS pharmacy sells both medications at these prices:
- Viagra is available in doses of 25, 50, and 100 milligrams (mg), starting at $200 for 2 tablets.
- Sildenafil is available in 25, 50, and 100 mg, starting at $34.11 for 2 tablets.
Pricing may vary depending on the dose the doctor prescribes and other factors.
Walgreens
- Price for Viagra: from $200 for 2 tablets
- Price for sildenafil: from $33.93 for 2 tablets
These are Walgreens’ prices for Viagra and sildenafil, according to Optum Perks:
- Viagra: People can opt for the 25, 50, or 100 mg option, starting at $200 for 2 tablets.
- Sildenafil is also available in three doses, starting at $33.93 for 2 tablets.
It is important to note that pricing may vary. To find out more about the cost, people may consider contacting Walgreens directly.
Walmart
- Price for Viagra: from $189 for 2 tablets
- Price for sildenafil: from $8.76 for 2 tablets
Walmart also offers Viagra and sildenafil. These are the prices, according to Optum Perks:
- Viagra: People can opt for 25, 50, or 100 mg Viagra, with pricing starting from $189 for 2 tablets.
- Sildenafil: Viagra’s generic version comes in 25, 50, and 100 mg at Walmart, starting from $8.76 for 2 tablets.
It is important to note that pricing may vary. People may consider contacting Walmart directly to know more about the cost.
The following table lists which drugs each company sells and how much they may cost.
Prices for Viagra and sildenafil can fluctuate regularly. The prices we list below are correct as of March 2024. A person can contact their local pharmacy for the most up-to-date prices.
| Viagra | Sildenafil | |
|---|---|---|
| Lemonaid | does not offer Viagra | • no dose information • starts from $2 per tablet |
| Hims | • 25, 50, and 100 milligrams (mg) • starts from $139 per dose | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $4 per dose |
| Optum | no information available | no information available |
| Roman | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • $90 per dose | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $4 per dose |
| Rex MD | • 50 and 100 mg • $90 per dose | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • $10 per dose |
| CVS (via Optum Perks) | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • $179 per 2 tablets | • 25 mg, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $30.60 per 2 tablets |
| Walgreens (via Optum Perks) | • 25, 50, and 100 mg: • starts from $183 per 2 tablets | • 25 mg, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $33.93 per 2 tablets |
| Walmart (via Optum Perks) | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $172 per 2 tablets | • 25, 50, and 100 mg • starts from $8.76 per 2 tablets |
Learn more about Viagra.
People traditionally pick up their prescriptions from a pharmacy. However, the cost of Viagra from pharmacies can vary widely, and insurance may or may not cover all or part of the cost.
Optum Perks is a free service that collates prices and coupons for drugs to help people save money on their prescriptions.
The service gives the following prices for 30 tablets of 25 mg of Viagra and sildenafil from various pharmacies.
Viagra is a branded medication containing sildenafil as the active ingredient and has approval from the
Doctors may offer other brands that seem to be more affordable. Generic medications may also be an option if a person has a low budget.
Some of these medications that may help improve erectile function include:
- Vardenafil: Vardenafil is available under the brand names Levitra and Staxyn and is a regular and disintegrating tablet. It is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that helps improve blood flow to the penis. The cost of the generic drug starts from $39 per tablet.
- Tadalafil: Tadalafil is available under the brand names Cialis and Adcirca. It is a tablet that helps treat ED and symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The tadalafil price may start from around $240 per month.
- Avanafil: This is the generic version of Stendra. The branded version may cost around $60 per use.
Drug pricing in the United States is very complex, and many factors affect how much a drug may cost.
For a long time, the Viagra brand monopolized the oral ED medication market. This is because drug companies have the right to be the exclusive supplier of a newly developed drug for several years. Therefore, there is no competition from other brands selling the same product. These exclusivity periods can last up to
There are also relatively few pricing restrictions in the United States for prescription drugs from private sector companies — a significant factor in price increases. Viagra’s manufacturer, Pfizer, would have factored in the cost of regulation, research, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and advertising into the price of this drug.
Why is generic Viagra less expensive?
When Viagra’s patent expired, other companies could sell a generic version of the drug — sildenafil — for significantly lower prices. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the price of sildenafil dropped by
The
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in both generic and branded drug versions. The only differences are the
Why do people prefer Viagra to generic Viagra?
Viagra prices have not decreased to match its competition. This is because the brand does not aim to compete on price. Instead, it uses its position as a widely trusted household name to compete with generics, which people may know less about and be less likely to trust.
Research from 2020 showed that 65.2% of the 305 primary care physicians in the study believed generic drugs were less effective than branded drugs. It also found that over 60% of the physicians claimed they did not check if a drug was generic or branded when prescribing it to a person. The authors note that greater education about generic drugs improved opinions about their safety, quality, and effectiveness.
Additionally, a
The FDA writes that generic medication can
There are several ways a person may save money when purchasing Viagra.
Choosing generic medication
People may wish to choose sildenafil instead of Viagra. The generic versions of the drug have the same ingredients and are often available in the same dosages.
Learn more about buying sildenafil online.
Discounts
Purchasing Viagra or sildenafil from telehealth companies may be cheaper than a prescription from a person’s primary healthcare professional.
Many telehealth companies offer discounts for first-time buyers, and some companies offer monthly subscriptions that may cost less than buying Viagra elsewhere.
However, a person needs to ensure they use a reputable telehealth company and only purchase medication from an online pharmacy with U.S.-licensed pharmacists or other healthcare professionals available to fill prescriptions and answer any questions.
Additionally, people need to ensure that the company they use has a seal of approval from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. This means that the company is legal and does not sell counterfeit drugs.
Learn more about buying ED pills online safely.
Patient assistance programs (PAPs)
Some pharmaceutical companies may offer PAPs to help cover the costs of Viagra.
Pharmaceutical companies may offer lower cost prescription drugs to people without insurance. Each company will have its criteria for eligibility, but individuals will likely have to provide proof of their citizenship and income.
People can contact a pharmaceutical company directly by telephone or complete forms on its website. Many PAP forms require a doctor’s signature.
Coupons
Some pharmacies may offer coupons that can help reduce the cost of prescription medication.
A person can search their local pharmacy’s website or go into the store to speak with an employee to determine if the pharmacy offers coupons and discounts.
Learn more about prescription discounts.
Private health insurers may cover part of the costs of generic sildenafil but may not pay for Viagra. A person can check their insurance coverage before purchasing sildenafil or Viagra to ensure they do not incur unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
However, Medicare may cover part of the costs of sildenafil or Viagra.
Find out whether Medicare covers Viagra.
Medicare coverage
Medicare Part A benefits people in the care of a skilled nursing facility. However, it does not cover ED medications.
Medicare Part B offers coverage for a person’s treatment in clinical settings if Medicare deems the treatment medically necessary. It is unlikely Medicare will cover the costs of Viagra or sildenafil for ED. However, in most cases, it may benefit people who receive ED treatment in sexual health clinics.
Medicare Part D offers prescription drug benefits. Medicare will not cover the costs of prescription Viagra for ED as it does not deem the drug medically necessary.
Research from 2022 notes that sildenafil is a
Before taking sildenafil or Viagra, a person should be aware of the side effects it can cause, which include:
- headaches
- heartburn
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- nosebleeds
- numbness, burning, or tingling in the limbs, hands, and feet
- sensitivity to light
- changes in color vision
Viagra or sildenafil may not suit everyone. For example, people should not take it if they:
- have had a previous allergic reaction to the drug
- are taking medications called nitrates
- have a heart or liver condition
- have had a stroke or heart attack
- have low blood pressure
- have certain inherited eye conditions, such as retinitis pigmentosa
Before a person can buy Viagra, they need to contact a doctor or other healthcare professional who can write prescriptions, even if they are purchasing it online.
Viagra is a prescription-only medication. This drug can have serious side effects, which is one of the reasons why pharmacies control its distribution.
People need to avoid pharmacies or other retailers who claim to offer Viagra without a prescription. These drugs likely contain unsafe or unrecorded ingredients.
A person needs to contact a doctor urgently if they experience any of the following symptoms when taking Viagra:
- a rash
- itching, burning, or pain when urinating
- a sudden and severe loss of vision
- a sudden loss or decrease in hearing
- ringing in the ears
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- fainting
- swelling to the arms or legs
- an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours
- weakness on one side of the body
- balance changes
- drooping on one side of the face
- unexplained bruising or bleeding
Viagra often costs more per pill than sildenafil.
The price per pill may depend on factors such as which company a person purchases from and the required dosage. However, people can expect to pay around $80 per dose.
Viagra is only available with a doctor’s prescription, even if a person buys it from an online provider, such as Hims or REX MD. If it is too expensive for them, they may consider getting sildenafil, its generic version, as a prescription medication.
Whether insurance pays for Viagra depends on the plan. Some people may find that their insurer covers generic sildenafil rather than branded Viagra.
It is always important to ask whether the pharmacy accepts a person’s insurance and whether a person’s policy covers specific medication before purchasing Viagra.
At the time of publishing, Viagra costs $3,000 for 30, 25 mg pills at CVS. Sildenafil, the generic version of this drug, costs $463 for the same quantity and dosage.
At the time of publishing, Viagra costs $2,7oo for thirty 25 mg pills at Walmart. Sildenafil, the generic version of this drug, costs $33.33 for the same dosage and quantity.
Viagra is a medication that doctors may prescribe for erectile dysfunction (ED). The drug is available with a prescription from local pharmacies and online telehealth companies.
The price of Viagra may vary depending on the dosage and whether the company offers the generic version, sildenafil. While Medicare and private health insurance may not assist with costs, people can contact pharmaceutical companies directly for Prescription assistance programs (PAPs) or check whether their local pharmacy offers discounts and coupons.