Sexual Health

Confidential help for erectile dysfunction. Viagra Connect (sildenafil) and tadalafil for men can be supplied by our pharmacists after a short online assessment, with no GP visit and discreet delivery. Honest advice on what works and when to see a doctor.

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Erectile dysfunction: what the pharmacy can do

Difficulty getting or keeping an erection affects around one in five men over 40 and is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is also worth taking seriously, because it can be an early sign of heart or circulation problems, diabetes or low testosterone.

Treatments available from the pharmacy

Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50 mg) can be sold without a prescription to men over 18 after a pharmacist assessment. It works for about an hour after taking it on an empty stomach, lasts around four hours, and helps roughly seven in ten men. Tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) lasts up to 36 hours, which suits men who want spontaneity. Our online questionnaire asks the same questions the pharmacist would at the counter: heart conditions, blood pressure, nitrate medicines and recent chest pain, among others. Answer honestly; some combinations are dangerous.

Who should not use them

Anyone taking nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide), anyone with recent heart attack or stroke, severe heart or liver disease, or very low blood pressure. If you are unsure, ask us.

What else helps

Alcohol, smoking, poor sleep, stress and some medicines (including common blood pressure tablets and antidepressants) all contribute. Losing weight and exercising improve erections measurably. Our article on ED treatments in Ireland compares the options in detail.

See a GP if

Pharmacy treatment does not work after several attempts, you are under 40, you have other symptoms such as low mood or reduced sex drive, or you have never had a blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes check. ED is often the first sign of something treatable.

Discreet by default: plain packaging, no product names on the outside, and only Laois Pharmacy on your statement.

Common questions about sexual health

Can I buy Viagra without a prescription in Ireland?

Yes. Viagra Connect, which contains sildenafil 50 mg, is available from pharmacies without a prescription for men over 18 after a pharmacist assessment. We do the assessment through the questionnaire at the basket.

How long does Viagra Connect take to work?

About 30 to 60 minutes, and it works best on an empty stomach. A heavy meal or alcohol slows it down. The effect lasts around four hours, and you still need sexual stimulation for it to work.

Sildenafil or tadalafil?

Sildenafil (Viagra Connect) is taken when needed and lasts about four hours. Tadalafil lasts up to 36 hours, so timing is less critical. Both have a similar success rate; the choice is about how you want to use it.

Is it safe to take with blood pressure tablets?

Usually yes, but not with nitrate medicines (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate) or certain alpha-blockers, and not if your blood pressure is very low. The questionnaire checks for these, and we will contact you if we need more information.

Written and reviewed by the pharmacist team at Laois Pharmacy, Portlaoise. General information only, not a substitute for advice about your own health. Ask us in store or on WhatsApp.