If you’re ready to try medication to treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED), you might be wondering if there’s any difference between branded products, like Viagra, and generic options. You also may be curious about whether it’s quicker or more affordable to go through a telehealth company, like Hims, instead of heading to your doctor’s office for a prescription and then to your local pharmacy.
If you’re looking for a fully online experience, Hims is your best bet, as they are able to provide prescriptions and ship medications, including branded Viagra, generics, customizable options, and chewable meds directly to your door, if you qualify. Keep in mind that if you’re open to generic options, Hims offers sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, at a significantly lower price than the brand name Viagra you’d get through your doctor.
For those who definitely want to use branded Viagra, going through your doctor may be a more affordable option and you may be able to pick up your meds more quickly, compared to waiting for Hims to ship them out to you.
In this article, we discuss the differences between Hims and Viagra, noting the pros and cons of each, as well as treatment effectiveness, cost, and more, so you can determine which treatment option may work best for your needs.
Comparison: Is Hims the Same as Viagra?
Here’s an apples-to-apples comparison of Hims ED treatments and Pfizer’s Viagra.
Hims vs. Viagra | Hims | Viagra |
|---|---|---|
| How to purchase | Forhims.com | In pharmacy |
| Medicine price | Generic Viagra - $4/dose Branded Viagra - $139/dose Generic Cialis (as-needed) - $6/dose Generic Cialis (daily) - $1.33/dose Branded Cialis (daily) - $32/dose | On average, $70 per tablet; May be covered according to your copay by your health insurance plan |
| Doctor’s visit cost | Free | Depends on co-pay |
| Subscription available? | ✅ | ❌ |
| Active ongredient | Sildenafil | Sildenafil |
| Brand(s) | Viagra (by Pfizer) + generics | Viagra (by Pfizer) |
| Doctor’s visit required? | Online | Go to doctor’s office |
| How to obtain | Order online | Get prescription from doctor and pick up in pharmacy |
| Prescription required? | ✅ | ✅ |
| Drug form | Tablet and chewable | Tablet |
| FDA-approved | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free at-home shipping? | ✅ | ❌ Required in-person pharmacy purchase |
| Website |
Hims vs. Viagra: What’s the Difference?
The most obvious difference between Hims and Viagra is that Hims is a full telehealth service, while Viagra is just that– the landmark erectile dysfunction medication that belongs to a drug class known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. In fact, you can get both Viagra and its generic counterpart, sildenafil, through Hims if you want to.
Pros and Cons of Hims
Pros
- Offers more medication options, including sildenafil, tadalafil, Cialis, and Viagra
- Free doctor’s visits provide ongoing care
- Discreetly delivered to your door on a recurring basis
- Offers both chewable and swallowable pill options
Cons
- Doesn’t take insurance, HSA, or FSA accounts
- Branded Viagra may be more expensive through Hims
Pros and Cons of Viagra
Pros
- Can be more affordable depending on your insurance plan
- Is an FDA-approved ED treatment that has been around since the 90s
- Is a trusted and well known branded medication, which some people may prefer
Cons
- In-person doctor and pharmacy visits make for a less discreet and convenient experience
- No generic options, which tend to cost less than brand name medications
- No reminders to refill your medication before you run out
Is Hims as Effective as Viagra?
Since a Hims clinician can prescribe Viagra for you, it’s safe to say they’re equally effective.
You could say that Hims’ additional medication options, which use FDA-approved ingredients to treat ED, give them the edge in this category since they’re bound to work for some people who don’t see much of an impact with standard Viagra.
Pricing
If you’re planning on using insurance or HSA/FSA funds to cover your ED treatment, you might be better off going with Viagra.
According to the company, Hims doesn’t currently accept insurance. That said, some folks may find that even without coverage, their medication is more affordable through Hims. That’s because generic versions of brand name treatments are typically much cheaper– as low as $4 per dose versus Viagra’s $70 average price tag, even though they have the exact same active ingredients.
Dosages Offered
Viagra is available in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg tablets. Hims supplies only the 50mg version, but you can get 25mg or 100mg of sildenafil instead.
Keep in mind that studies show that higher doses of Viagra are significantly more likely to cause side effects, so you’ll want to discuss the lowest concentration that still works for you with your doctor.
Hims also offers 5mg Cialis, while at the pharmacy you might also find the tablets in 2.5mg, 10mg, or even 20mg strengths.
Related reading: Hims vs. Cialis vs. Tadalafil: Which is Best for ED?
Onset of Action
Viagra takes about an hour to kick in and can keep working for up to four hours, and the same is true for sildenafil.
Unlike Viagra, which you only take when you need it, Cialis and tadalafil can be used as a daily treatment so you’re always ready for action. If that sounds more convenient to you than carrying a pill packet when you think you’ll need it, you’re better off signing up for Hims than obtaining a Viagra prescription.
How to Obtain
You’re likely familiar with the steps you’d need to take to get Viagra the old-fashioned way, including scheduling a doctor’s appointment, discussing your symptoms with the doctor, getting your prescription, then getting it filled at your local pharmacy. It’s kind of a lot of work when you spell it all out, not to mention all the traveling and waiting in between.
With Hims, you can sign up online by answering a few health-related questions at your own convenience. A doctor reviews your answers, talks them over with you in an online visit, then prescribes the right medication (if appropriate), which gets delivered straight to you. The whole process can take just a day or two, compared to waiting weeks or more to see a doctor in person.
Medication Forms
Brand name Viagra is a tablet you swallow, as is its generic form. If you prefer something a bit more exciting, Hims also offers chewable mints that contain tadalafil as well as other PDE5 inhibitors.
Related reading: Hims Hard Mints Review- Are They the Best Dissolvable ED Treatment?
Availability
While Viagra is available at your nearest pharmacy, Hims ships to all 50 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico. If there’s a shortage of pharmacies near you, Hims might be the more convenient option. However, if it’s convenient for you to head to a pharmacy, getting branded Viagra from your doctor may be a more affordable option than Hims’ Viagra.
Regulation
Viagra, sildenafil, Cialis, and tadalafil are all FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction, so both Hims ED treatment and traditional Viagra are considered safe and effective treatment options.
In addition, Hims offers other FDA-approved medications, such as Cialis and tadalafil. However, they also provide compounded medications that use FDA-approved ingredients, such as tadalafil and sildenafil, but the treatments themselves are not FDA-approved.
Viagra (Sildenafil) Side Effects
Even though Viagra has relatively low rates of side effects, it can still be risky for certain people, so be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you’re taking before you try it. In particular, people who take medicine that includes nitrates like nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate should not take this medication.
Side effects of sildenafil may include:
- Changes in color vision
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Muscle pain or numbness
- Nasal congestion
- Nausea
- Nosebleeds
- Sensitivity to light
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Seek urgent medical care if you experience:
- Allergic reaction (swelling, itching, difficulty breathing, or hives)
- Chest pain
- Erections that are painful or last longer than four hours
- Fainting
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Severe skin rash, blisters, or peeling
The Verdict: Is Hims or Viagra Better for ED?
Given that Hims and Viagra can provide very similar treatment, the answer here really boils down to personal preference. Would you rather pick up your medication at the pharmacy when you need it, and be sure that your insurance will cover it? Or do you prefer to pay lower prices out of pocket and skip the wait for in-person appointments?
Hims is best for convenience and personalized ED treatment options.
Hims is a good choice for anyone who prefers telehealth services and wants their medications shipped discreetly to their door.
If personalization, multiple treatment options, and convenience are your top concerns, Hims may be the better choice for you.
Viagra is best for affordability and quick-access at your local pharmacy.
Viagra is better for anyone who values affordability and prefers in-person doctor’s appointments.
If you prefer the brand name version, or want to use your insurance or FSA/HSA money, you might prefer to get Viagra the old-fashioned way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there anything that works better than Viagra?
That depends! Some people find that Cialis works better for them than Viagra, and some might even find the generic sildenafil more effective for them than the brand name variant. It all comes down to your body chemistry, so it’s worth trying a few different things to find out what works best for you (with a doctor’s guidance, of course).
What is the closest thing over-the-counter to Viagra?
While there are over-the-counter alternatives to Viagra in development (such as MED3000, a topical gel), there’s nothing right now without a prescription that challenges the clinical effectiveness of established treatments like Viagra and Cialis. You could try supplements like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or L-arginine, but exercise caution and speak to your healthcare provider first because they’re not regulated by the FDA.
Does Cialis get you harder than Viagra?
Both Cialis and Viagra facilitate blood flow to the penis, but since Cialis is a daily medication, it’s always in your system. That means you won’t have to wait an hour (or more, depending on what you’ve eaten) for it to kick in. So while Cialis may not get you harder than Viagra, it might get you hard faster than Viagra.
Which ED pill is stronger than Viagra?
Only Viagra and sildenafil are available in 100mg concentrations, making them technically the strongest ED pills. That doesn’t necessarily make them the most effective ED treatment though, and you may have more noticeable results with a lower daily dose than a high as-needed dose. In other words, stronger doesn’t always mean better.
How long does the Hims pill last?
The Viagra and sildenafil you get through Hims last just as long as Viagra you’d get anywhere else– typically up to four hours. However, your results may vary, especially if you eat a large, fatty meal right before you take it.
Methodology
| Review Process | Key Metrics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online | – ease to complete intake form – affordability – upfront commitment or subscription required? – money back guarantee or refund policy? | 0.5 |
| Vitual consult with provider / determine eligibility | – ease to get appointment to determine eligibility – need to leave house for labs or other in-person care? | 1 |
| Shipping + unboxing | – shipping cost – time from order to treatment delivery – discreet packaging to maintain privacy | 0.5 |
| Test + journal for 1-3 months | – ease of application – transition into habitual use – taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| Results after 3 months of use | – efficacy / results – lack of side effects – ease of refill / reordering – quality of ongoing clinical support – responsive customer support – willingness to recommend to a friend | 1.5 |
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