This article was reviewed by Mike Bohl, MD.
Why don’t doctors necessarily hand out free Viagra samples anymore?
Viagra is now available as a generic, making it more affordable than ever. That gives drug companies and reps less incentive to hand out free ED pills.
The good news? You can get Viagra for a fraction of the price it used to be. And you have plenty of other ED medication options, too.
Below, we’ll go deeper into the history of Viagra samples, what the difference is between generic Viagra and the brand-name drug, and the basics of ED treatment.
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History of Viagra and Viagra Samples
ED is the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an arousal sufficient for satisfactory intimate performance. It’s a common problem that affects many men, especially in older age.
One of the most well-known treatments for ED is the active ingredient sildenafil citrate (AKA brand-name Viagra). It’s part of a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications work by allowing the blood vessels in your privates to relax so you can more easily achieve an arousal.
Although the FDA has approved many PDE5 inhibitor medications, Viagra is probably the most famous.
Before the 1970s, most doctors assumed the primary cause of ED was psychological, and treated it by recommending therapy.
In 1973, medical experts started using the implant to treat men with ED that didn’t seem to resolve with psychological interventions.
But while health professionals were starting to look at ED a bit differently, it took years before the first ED medication came onto the market — and it happened entirely by accident.
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From Heart Drug to ED Drug
In the early 1990s, Pfizer was working on a drug called sildenafil to treat high blood pressure and angina (AKA chest pain). They ran clinical trials in a small Welsh town called Merthyr Tydfil, recruiting young men who were happy to earn extra money by testing the medication and reporting side effects.
What happened next was unexpected.
Many participants reported more frequent, harder arousals.
At a time when effective treatments for ED didn’t exist, Pfizer realized they might have stumbled upon something revolutionary. They quickly shifted their focus to developing a drug for ED.
By 1998, the medication hit the market in the United States and United Kingdom, becoming the fastest-selling drug in history.
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Viagra Samples
Back in the day, free Viagra samples were a big part of the drug’s marketing campaign. Free samples let men try out the medication before committing to a full — and expensive — prescription.
Today, the practice of giving out free samples of Viagra isn’t common. But in 2017 the patent on Viagra expired, opening the door for other companies to manufacture and sell generic sildenafil — and lowering the price for the well-known little blue pill.
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What are Generic Drugs?
Most new drugs in the United States hit the market with a patent period of 20 years from when the patent application was filed. Once a patent and any other exclusivity periods expire, competing pharmaceutical companies can produce generic forms of brand-name medications.
Generic drugs are just as effective, safe, and reliable as brand-name drugs.
They also have the same active ingredients and side effects, but typically cost much less.
So while free Viagra samples are mostly a thing of the past, affordable alternatives are widely available.
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Understanding Viagra
PDE5 inhibitor drugs like Viagra work by increasing blood flow to the privates. Sildenafil does this by inhibiting the enzyme PDE5 and increasing the action of a molecule called nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, meaning that it helps your blood vessels relax. This allows more blood to fill your privates, making it easier to achieve an arousal.
Viagra doesn’t instantly trigger arousals, though. It makes it easier to get hard once you’re aroused.
You can take Viagra 30 minutes to 4 hours before intimate activity. But taking it about 1 hour before is ideal.
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Why Don’t You See Free Viagra Samples Anymore?
Free drug samples were once a popular marketing strategy for brand-name medications. But with the rise of generic drugs, they’ve become less common.
Here’s why: When a drug’s exclusivity and patent expires, generic versions often flood the market, driving prices down. With tighter profit margins, companies are less motivated to give away free samples.
There’s also been some pushback against the practice. Critics argue that samples can lead to doctors prescribing pricier, less effective drugs. And the act of giving out free drug samples bypasses pharmacists, who play a key role in ensuring safe medication use and checking for potential drug interactions.
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Risk of Counterfeit Medications
You need a prescription to buy Viagra in the United States and most other countries.
Some people attempt to bypass this by importing sildenafil from abroad, which is illegal — and risky.
Counterfeit Viagra is a big problem, especially online. Some websites sell fake or low-quality products that might be ineffective — or even harmful.
A 2018 study found counterfeit Viagra samples advertised on websites in Singapore and India.
Be cautious of any site offering free samples without a prescription. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
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Helpful Tips for Getting Viagra
If you’re considering Viagra, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
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Always buy from a trusted source. Many telehealth companies make it easy to consult a provider online and skip the in-person visit for a prescription.
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Be open about your health history. Viagra isn’t for everyone. Let your provider know about any medical issues, lifestyle habits, and symptoms so they can recommend the best ED treatment for your needs.
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Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Make sure to take the correct dose and let your provider know if you experience any side effects.
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Where Can You Get Free ED Pills
Finding free ED medications isn’t easy, but telehealth has made it easier than ever to access ED treatments. Many providers now offer affordable options, and some even offer trial periods.
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Other FDA-Approved ED Medications
Other FDA-approved oral medications for treating ED include:
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Stendra (avanafil)
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What Causes ED?
ED can stem from various causes, including issues with:
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Hormonal health
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Heart health
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Mental health
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Neurological health
If you have any of the following conditions, you may be more likely to experience ED symptoms:
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Chronic kidney disease
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High blood pressure (hypertension)
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Injury to privates or spinal cord
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Multiple sclerosis
Prostate cancer and bladder cancer treatments may also affect intimate health. And ED can also be a side effect of certain medications, like antidepressants.
In some cases, ED stems from psychological factors such as:
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High stress
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Fear of intimate failure
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Depression
You might also have a higher chance of developing ED if you:
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Smoke
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Drink too much
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Don’t exercise
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Other ED Treatment
ED treatment is constantly evolving. The right treatment for you depends on the cause of your ED and your overall health.
A healthcare professional might initially recommend lifestyle changes such as:
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Exercising more
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Eating a healthier diet
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Sleeping more
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Finding ways to limit stress
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Quitting smoking
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Minimizing your alcohol intake
Other treatments for ED include:
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Psychological counseling
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Injections
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Urethral suppositories
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Surgery
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Topical gels
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How Do I Know If Viagra Is Right For Me?
It’s normal to have trouble getting or maintaining an arousal once in a while. But if it’s happening often, it’s worth talking with your primary care provider. They can check for underlying health issues and your eligibility for PDE-5 inhibitors.
If your issues aren’t mainly psychological, a healthcare professional might prescribe Viagra or another ED medication.
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What Are The Side Effects of Viagra?
Every medication comes with some health risks. Some of the potential side effects of Viagra include:
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Headaches
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Nausea
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Flushing
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Indigestion
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Stuffy nose
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Dizziness
It’s important to seek medical attention right away if you develop priapism, which is an arousal that lasts for more than 4 hours.
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Free Viagra Samples: The Bottom Line
Gone are the days where you could easily go home with free Viagra samples from the doctor’s office. Thankfully, Viagra and generic ED pills are more affordable than ever.
Let’s recap what we know about Viagra samples:
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Viagra sampling was common when the drug hit the market. Samples let men try the medication without committing to a pricey prescription.
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When Viagra’s patent and exclusivity ran out, generic versions flooded the market. This brought prices down, making ED medications more accessible.
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Telehealth has made it easier than ever to access ED treatment. Today, you can get help for medical issues like ED without leaving the comfort of home.
This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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