Costs & Charges
How much do ED tablets cost in the UK?
By Pick My Pharmacy Editorial · Updated 9 July 2026
What each ED tablet costs
Generic sildenafil is the cheapest option, typically £1.50–£6 per tablet through UK online pharmacies; packs of 8 or 16 usually bring the per-tablet price down compared with a pack of 4. Tadalafil, which stays active longer, costs around £2–£7 per on-demand tablet, or £15–£45 a month if prescribed as a daily low dose. Branded Viagra costs £4–£9 per tablet. Viagra and generic sildenafil contain exactly the same active ingredient at the same doses and are held to the same regulatory standards — the price gap is a brand premium, not a difference in the medicine. Online prices usually include the prescriber consultation and delivery; check whether a pharmacy adds a separate consultation or delivery charge before comparing headline prices.
Prescription rules: what needs a consultation
Sildenafil, tadalafil, and branded Viagra are prescription-only medicines, so a consultation with a prescriber is always required — online, that means a medical questionnaire reviewed by a registered prescriber before anything is dispensed. The one exception is Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg), which is classed as a pharmacy medicine: a pharmacist can supply it without a prescription after a short suitability check, either in a pharmacy or through a registered online service. The checks matter clinically because ED tablets interact dangerously with nitrate medicines used for angina, and because new erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease that warrants a GP review. A service that asks no health questions is not a shortcut — it is a warning sign.
Getting a fair price without taking risks
ED tablets are among the most counterfeited medicines in the world, and unregulated websites sell tablets with the wrong dose, no active ingredient, or harmful contaminants. Before buying from any online pharmacy, check it is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council — search the pharmacy on the GPhC register and confirm a named prescriber reviews consultations. Within the regulated market, prices for identical generic tablets still vary noticeably between pharmacies, so comparing two or three providers is worthwhile. Choosing generic sildenafil over branded Viagra, and larger packs over small ones, are the two simplest ways to reduce the per-tablet cost without compromising on safety.
NHS prescriptions for ED tablets
Generic sildenafil is available on NHS prescription after a GP assessment, costing at most the standard prescription charge per item in England and free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — usually the cheapest route for regular use, although GP practices often limit the quantity per prescription. Some men prefer the private online route for speed or privacy, which is a reasonable trade-off to make knowingly. An NHS consultation also has a clinical benefit: a GP can check blood pressure, diabetes risk, and other causes of erectile dysfunction rather than only supplying tablets. This page is general information, not medical advice — speak to a pharmacist or GP about which option is right for you.
People Also Ask
Is generic sildenafil as effective as Viagra?
Yes. Generic sildenafil and Viagra contain the same active ingredient at the same doses, and generics must meet the same MHRA standards as the brand. Clinically they are interchangeable — the brand simply costs more.
Can I buy ED tablets without a prescription?
Only Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg), which a pharmacist can supply after a short suitability check — no GP appointment needed. All other ED tablets, including generic sildenafil and tadalafil, are prescription-only and require a consultation with a prescriber.
Why is tadalafil priced per month as well as per tablet?
Tadalafil comes in two forms: on-demand tablets taken before needed, priced per tablet at around £2–£7, and a daily low-dose version taken every day, priced as a monthly supply at roughly £15–£45. Which suits you is a clinical decision made at the consultation.
How do I avoid counterfeit ED tablets?
Buy only from pharmacies on the GPhC register — you can search the register free at pharmacyregulation.org. Be wary of any site selling prescription ED tablets with no health questionnaire, prices far below the UK norm, or no named pharmacy details.
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This article is general information for UK patients, not medical advice, and NHS rules and charges change — confirm current rules on nhs.uk or speak to a pharmacist or GP before acting. For urgent medical help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency. Price figures are indicative benchmarks from ourmethodology.