Have you ever felt like you’re at a loss, not knowing how to communicate with your partner about the most romantic night of your life? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a pill that could help you solve this problem? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. However, thanks to the work of pharma company Pfizer and their new drug, Viagra Connect. Introduced this year, Viagra Connect is designed for people whose sexual performance is at risk because of a medical condition or are over the age of 65. The medication allows men to express their romantic feelings more effectively and allows them to perform sexually better.
If you’re in a similar situation, you might be wondering whether Viagra Connect is right for you. Here’s a closer look at what the drug is and how it works.
How Does Viagra Connect Work?
Viagra is currently the most popular drug within the Pfizer group, responsible for more than a third of the company’s overall revenue. Derived from the blue flower Viagra Falls, the medication relaxes the muscles in the penis, allowing men to have erections that last longer. While originally designed for use in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, Viagra has since become synonymous with male sexual performance, leading to a surge in its popularity as a “wink wink” medication—a term coined by New York Magazine—among the over-50 population.
For years, Viagra’s patent has been scheduled to expire in 2021. In response, Pfizer has created Viagra Connect, a medication that’s been specifically designed to help men with ED and those whose sexual performance is at risk because of a medical condition or are over the age of 65. (
It’s important to note that while Viagra is a registered trademark of Pfizer, the company behind Viagra Connect, and their respective agencies have officially filed for the “connect” trademark, which will make it easier for people to identify the two medications as being from the same corporate source.)
According to internal company documents obtained by the New York Times, Viagra Connect is a combination of the drug Sildenafil and the vitamin E acetate, which the FDA has specifically approved for use in the treatment of ED. In a press release published today, Pfizer explained that Sildenafil is a substance that’s naturally produced in the body, while vitamin E acetate “helps the body to metabolize [Sildenafil] and eliminate it more easily, allowing for extended treatment effects.”
Because Sildenafil is a naturally occurring substance, it doesn’t require a prescription. However, like all prescription medications, Viagra Connect must be bought from a pharmacist. In the United States, a 30-day supply typically costs about $100, and many insurance companies will cover some of that cost. In 2020, the average age of men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction was 64 years old, and about 40% of those men were over the age of 65. The increase in the number of men requiring assistance with sexual performance has led to a 25% increase in the number of prescriptions written for Viagra in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Is Viagra Connect Worth It?
With increasing numbers of men leading more active lifestyles and spending more time at work, taking care of the family farm or business, and participating in sports, the issue of safe sex has become more relevant than ever. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have trouble achieving an erection that lasts long enough to have satisfactory sexual performance. This can pose a major issue for people whose health is at risk or those who are simply looking to improve their quality of life.
In response, Pfizer has created Viagra Connect, a medication that’s been specifically designed to help men with ED and those whose sexual performance is at risk because of a medical condition or are over the age of 65. (
In 2020 alone, Viagra Connect was prescribed to more than 90,000 men in the U.S. alone. In a press release, Pfizer noted that while the drug hasn’t been officially approved for use in Canada, it has been prescribed there as well. In January 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the sale of all penis rings, claiming that they were “misbranded” and didn’t provide adequate information about the product’s efficacy. However, the agency didn’t issue any warnings about the possibility of serious injury or death because of the product’s lack of safety data. This, along with the fact that most men aren’t using them for birth control, has made many men and their doctors question the need for such a product.
Is It Safe To Mix Viagra And Alcohol?
While there’s no scientific consensus on whether or not drinking alcohol can affect how you react to Viagra, there’s one thing we know for sure: Mixing the two can be dangerous. According to the Mayo Clinic, individuals with alcoholic cirrhosis and/or heart disease should not take Viagra, as it can cause their blood pressure to become too low. (Those with hypertension should avoid taking the drug, as well.) Furthermore, the same clinic warns that consuming alcoholic beverages while taking the medication can cause low blood pressure, headache, flushing, and gastrointestinal issues. In rare cases, individuals have experienced an allergic reaction or a life-threatening illness, such as hives or anaphylaxis, which is a condition that affects the respiratory system and can be fatal.