Best Online Options for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) in 2024

Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is a condition in which people have difficulty maintaining an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. While older adults may be more likely to develop ED, it is possible to experience ED at any age.

The condition is often treatable through the use of prescription medications, which are available in both generic form (sildenafil) or branded form (Viagra). These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping people develop and maintain an erection when sexually aroused.

Regardless of which option you choose, you will need a prescription from a qualified medical professional to obtain an ED medication. For those who aren’t comfortable picking up ED medication from a local pharmacy, there are telehealth companies — some of which specialize in men’s health — that now make the process more discreet and convenient.

Read on to learn how to find the best online telehealth companies and reputable retailers for erectile dysfunction medication.

Best Overall Service for Buying Viagra Online

Hims

Hims is a telehealth company that sells prescription and over-the-counter medication. Hims offers brand name Viagra as well as the generic version, sildenafil.

One of Hims’ medical professionals will meet with you online to discuss your medical health history and symptoms and evaluate the best ED treatment for you. You can contact them again to adjust your treatment plan or answer any questions you may have.

Hims allows you to make a one-time purchase or set up a monthly supply of the pills, all of which arrive in discreet packaging.

Click Here To Explore Hims

Best for a Variety of ED Medication Options

Roman

Roman is a telehealth company specializing in men’s health. An initial consultation with a licensed medical professional is required and costs $15. They will evaluate your symptoms and write a prescription for Viagra or another treatment option.

If the products or service are not right for you, Roman commits to refunding your consultation fee in full. If you start with Roman but need a change to your order, the company offers free follow-ups with its medical professionals.

What sets Roman apart is the variety of ED treatment options it offers. These include another prescription drug used to treat ED called Cialis and its generic form, tadalafil. An option to send your order to your local pharmacy is another flexible feature of this service.

Similar to Hims, there may be savings to using the subscription plan.

Click Here To Explore Roman

Best for Buying Affordable Generic Viagra

Lemonaid

Lemonaid is a telehealth company focused on offering competitive pricing for its mail-order pharmaceuticals.

The first step is to fill out an online assessment to determine if Viagra is right for you. This is followed by a consultation with a medical professional who may prescribe you an ED treatment. The consultation costs a flat fee of $25.

The prescription will then go to a Lemonaid online pharmacy. Though it stocks branded Viagra, it also offers a range of lower-cost versions including 20 mg sildenafil (a generic form of Revatio).

Click Here To Explore Lemonaid Health

Best for Fast Delivery of ED Medication

Rex MD

This telehealth company offers services specifically for men’s health, including hair loss and ED. Its licensed physicians will assess your symptoms and write you a prescription, if necessary. They remain available to answer any questions you have on your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Getting a consultation is relatively quick, as Rex MD has licensed physicians from each state. That, along with free 2-day delivery, makes this service a good option if expediency is a priority.

They offer prescription medications, including Viagra and Cialis, as well as generic versions of both. Generic brands start at $8.50 a tablet.

Generic Viagra comes in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets. Generic Cialis comes in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg tablets.

Click Here To Explore Rex MD

Telehealth companies offer consultations with medical professionals who can write you a prescription if you qualify. They also allow you to order the drug online for home delivery or pharmacy pickup.

When shopping for ED medications online, it’s important to choose a reputable telehealth company to ensure the efficacy and safety of the medications themselves.

A study by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy revealed that 97% of internet pharmacies were not compliant with standards outlined by federal, state and industry law.

Further evidence points to a high prevalence of counterfeit medications on the market. In fact, a 2021 review of studies showed that oral medications for ED are among the most counterfeited medications globally. Counterfeit Viagra has been known to contain toxic ingredients or incorrect doses of active ingredients.

All the telehealth companies below have been researched to ensure that they adhere to industry best practices and safety procedures.

Each company offers an initial consultation with a doctor or other licensed medical professional who can assess if Viagra is a safe treatment option. If so, they will prepare a prescription that can be filled via the service and delivered to your home in discreet packaging.

At that time, they may discuss with you or recommend other ED treatment options.

Note that none of these companies accept insurance or offer returns.

What To Look For in a Reputable Online Pharmacy

If you decide to go with another company, be sure it’s a reputable retailer. It should offer a consultation with a licensed medical professional and require a prescription to purchase.

Prescriptions that come in the mail should have the name of the medication and the dose clearly labeled on the container.

A reputable telehealth company will make sure a licensed pharmacist is available to answer any questions customers may have about their prescription. It should also be easy to find the medical license and credentials of its health practitioners.

Similarly, if you can’t find a way to contact a customer service representative, you may be dealing with a less-than-reputable supplier.

Viagra, manufactured by Pfizer, and sildenafil, a generic version made by several companies, is used to treat ED, a common condition affecting about 30 million men in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a prescription for Viagra because certain medications should not be taken alongside it, such as nitrates, which lower blood pressure. An evaluation from a medical professional via one of the telehealth platforms below may help decrease your risk of very severe side effects.

How Do You Take ED Medication?

ED medications, such as Viagra, can be taken anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours prior to sex. The drug may work faster on an empty stomach. The ability to have an erection should last about 4 to 5 hours, though if the erection itself lasts longer than that, seek medical help immediately.

The side effects of erectile dysfunction medications range from mild to severe. Mild side effects may include upset stomach, headache, flushing, muscle pain, dizziness or rash. They should dissipate within a week or two on the medication, but if they don’t, discuss these side effects with your doctor or the prescribing medical professional.

Though uncommon, serious side effects may include sudden vision loss in one eye or decrease in hearing, fast heart rate, chest pain, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, hives or other allergic reactions. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

It’s also possible to develop a painful erection lasting more than 4 hours called priapism, which requires immediate medical attention.

If you’re buying erectile dysfunction medications online, be sure it’s coming from a company that offers consultations with licensed medical professionals. Hims, Roman, Rex MD and Lemonaid are reputable online pharmacies that offer good service, variety and affordability.