The ‘blue pill’ – or the ‘little blue pill’ – is a common nickname used for the erectile dysfunction (ED) medication Viagra. Created back in 1998, Viagra was the first oral treatment available for ED.
The colour and shape of the pill have since become iconic. The little blue diamond pills stamped with the Pfizer logo are easily recognisable around the world. They’ve featured in movies and are referenced throughout pop culture.
So, it was only natural Viagra got the nickname, and ‘the blue pill’ has become a discreet way of referring to it.
In this blog, we explain what the blue pill is, how it works, side effects of Viagra, and alternatives you can get in the UK.
What Is the ‘Blue pill’?
The blue pill is the nickname of Viagra, a brand name of Sildenafil.
Unlike in the movie The Matrix, if you take this blue pill you will not simply wake up in your bed. Viagra increases blood flow to the penis, making it significantly easier to gain and maintain an erection.
Viagra won’t directly give you an erection. So you will still need some sexual stimulation or sexual arousal, but it reduces the amount you need.
How Do I Get the Blue Pill in the UK?
The blue pill comes in a variety of strengths, most of which require you to speak to a doctor to get a prescription.
Unfortunately, this can stop men from seeking out a perfectly normal treatment for a medical condition. After all, studies have shown 50% of all men – and 25% of men under 40 – experience ED in their lifetime.
But times have, fortunately, changed. You can now consult a doctor online and complete a short survey to get Viagra. Our UK registered doctors assess the survey and, if safe and appropriate, issue you a prescription that goes directly to our UK pharmacy. They then dispense and send the blue pill directly to you.
You can also buy Viagra Connect over the counter.
How to Take the Blue Pill for ED
Part of the popularity of the pill is down to its simplicity. You take one pill on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before sex. Each dose will work for 4-6 hours.
As the blue pill comes in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg strengths, you may need to figure out what the right dose for you is with your doctor. You can read more about what strength might be right for you in this article.
You can only take 1 dose of Viagra in 24 hours. Never use Viagra in combination with another ED treatment as it can lead to side effects like very low blood pressure.
Blue Pill Side Effects
The little blue pill, like all other medicines, can have some side effects. And it may not be suitable for everyone.
Common side effects include:
- Headaches/dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Nosebleeds
- Nausea
- Back pain and/or muscle pain
- Flushing
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Red and/or warm skin
You can’t use Viagra if you have recently had a heart attack, have heart disease, suffer from chest pain (angina) and use nitrate medicines, or have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Make sure your doctor knows all of your medicines and medical conditions before using it.
A Warning About Knock-Off Blue Pills
Unfortunately, some unsavoury companies use the “blue pill” nickname to mislead the public.
Many create Viagra knock-offs – fake, herbal or otherwise unproven treatments for ED – using the little blue pill’s colour and shape.
Make sure you know what you are buying and where it is coming from.
For your own safety, you should only buy your medicines from UK registered pharmacies where you know the medicines have been tested, proven effective and safe. This article explains how to avoid counterfeit ED medication.
Alternatives to the Blue Pill
Since Viagra launched in 1998, many alternative oral ED medicines have been made, all with slightly different effects.
Here is a list of the most popular ED treatments and how they compare to one another:
Sildenafil – The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil citrate. So the effects of Viagra and Sildenafil are identical. It’s also often blue. The difference? Sildenafil is better value. Viagra is around £4.84 per tablet while Sildenafil is just 86p.
Cialis (Tadalafil) – Known as the weekend pill, Cialis got its nickname because it lasts up to 36 hours – or long enough for an entire weekend. It’s also become cheaper (as low as 67p a tablet) than the blue pill since the release of the generic (Tadalafil) in 2017. You can find out more about the differences between the blue pill and Cialis by reading our Cialis vs Viagra article.
Spedra – Spedra is the fastest acting ED tablet on the market, working in just 15-30 minutes. That’s 2-4 times faster than the blue pill. It can provide you with the edge you need if speediness is a big factor for you.
Levitra (Vardenafil) – Levitra and the generic Levitra are quite similar to the blue pill in both onset and duration. However, they do provide a safer option for men with diabetes.
If one treatment doesn’t work for you, another might. You can order an ED trial pack here.
Summary
- The blue pill refers to Viagra, a well-known erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection.
- Since it was created in 1998, alternatives like Sildenafil, Cialis (Tadalafil), Spedra, and Levitra have become available. If one treatment doesn’t work for you, another might.
- The blue pill has common side effects, like nausea and headaches. It’s not suitable for everyone, so talk to your doctor.
- There are a lot of counterfeit ED pills out there. So make sure you buy them from UK registered pharmacies.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 24, 2021. It has been updated for accuracy, readability and comprehensiveness.
