Standard Viagra Doses vs Generic Sildenafil Strengths
The use of Viagra and many other ED meds is on the rise, and it has been accentuated by the influx of generic versions into the market. Viagra is conventionally meant to be used with a doctor’s prescription, but in some countries and online pharmacies, these meds can be bought over the counter. Viagra Connect, a generic version made by Pfizer, is also currently available over the counter in some countries including the UK.
Whether you are buying branded Viagra or generic Sildenafil, you need to use the meds safely, and this starts with choosing the right dosage and always taking your pills according to it. The generics don’t necessarily come in the same strengths as the branded pills, and you need to do a detailed background check before deciding on your dosage.
The Standard Viagra Doses
Pfizer’s Viagra comes in pills of the following strengths: 25, 50 and 100mg of sildenafil per pill. Many generics are also made in similar concentrations. As of now, Viagra Connect is only available in 50mg tablets. So, do you know what the right dosage for you is?
The 50mg pills are prescribed for starters who have no contraindications or underlying illnesses. This strength is an intermediate one which makes it a good starting point. How your body reacts to this initial dosage determines whether you need to up the strength to 100mg or go down to 25mg. 50mg is in fact, the commonest strength of Viagra and many men find it effective in treating erectile dysfunction.
If the 50mg worked well for you, you could bring it down to 25mg because in most cases, the response is more or less the same. The 25mg strength is recommended for people who experience side effects with the 50mg tabs. The 25mg pills are also prescribed for patients who are on certain medications such as the alpha-blockers which are used in the management of hypertension. The use of alpha-blockers together with sildenafil can predispose one to extremely low blood pressures hence the need to lower the doses.
The 100 mg strength is the highest available for brand-name Viagra. You can switch to 100 mg pills if you don’t realize optimal outcomes with the 50mg pills. If you experience side effects after using the 50mg strength, you should not use the 100mg sildenafil because a higher dose comes with an increased risk of side effects. Additionally, it is safer to consult a doctor before changing the Viagra doses.
Non-Standard Viagra Doses
Generics can come in many other non-standard concentrations. Some contain 120,130 or 150 mg of sildenafil per pill. You can also find doses as high as 200 mg per tablet. We cannot unequivocally state why such doses are offered but here are some probable reasons.
The highest strengths are mostly meant for splitting. For instance, you can split the 200mg pill into two 100mg or four 50mg pieces. This is a good way of cutting down on the costs of medications because a single 200mg pill doesn’t cost four times the price of one 50mg tab. It is only a few dollars more and when you have a pill splitter (these are also very cheap, like $2-3 in online pharmacies), you can make some good savings on your costs of drugs.
There is also another point of view stating that generics are inferior in a way compared to the branded meds. This prompts the manufacturers to come up with higher strengths because they cannot match the purity and overall effectiveness of branded Viagra. Therefore, a higher dose of generic sildenafil may be just as good as a lower dose of Pfizer’s Viagra in terms of effectiveness.
The higher strengths might also be useful for people who have shown little or no response after using the 100mg pills. If such an individual is willing to take a risk, he can opt for the 120mg or 130 mg strengths. This is however considered dangerous because there are high chances of suffering from side effects. Ideally, if the high doses of sildenafil aren’t working for you, it is wiser to try out other options such as tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra).
The different formulations available for the generic sildenafil meds can also be another factor leading to the variations in strengths. The liquid formulations tend to be of higher strength compared to the hard pills probably because of the excipients they have to include.
The alternative strengths can partly be a marketing stunt. With such strengths as 150 or 200 mg, these meds can outwardly appear superior to the branded Viagra, and this is apparently an attraction for buyers who fancy aplomb and hype. (1)
General Precautions When Using Viagra
When using Viagra or sildenafil, always remember not to exceed the recommended daily dosage as this can lead to adverse reactions.
You should not take Viagra with other kinds of erectile dysfunction meds because this increases the chances of suffering from side effects such as vision impairment and priapism.
Do not take Viagra together with nitrates to avoid the risk of developing very low blood pressure.
If you have any accompanying health conditions apart from erectile dysfunction, it is safer to get a prescription from a doctor and report any issues you might be having with the medication to them.
Always keep in mind that the recommended starting Viagra dosage is 50mg. The higher strengths can literally knock you down and should only be used if you get poor responses with the initial dose or under your prescribing doctor’s instructions. The high-strength pills, such as 150mg and 200mg, are most probably meant for splitting and should not be taken whole. (2)
