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The widely known brand for sildenafil, Viagra, comes with a variety of alternatives. One of those is generic variants of the said medication, which is said to be the same but from a different manufacturer. Knowing this, what does generic Viagra look like, and how can they be told apart from the branded counterpart?
This generic variant had only recently come up because of the access to this medication. These were rather hard to get a hold of at some point due to stocks running out –which became one of the main reasons a generic counterpart had been made available to be sold legally.
While they are similar, there are ways to identify the difference between them and the branded Viagra. One of the differences is visible in their overall appearance. Sometimes, this is what mainly helps people which is which.
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The General Gist of What Generic Viagra Is
Although not coming from the bigger brand, generic Viagra still contains similar ingredients to branded medication. It contains sildenafil, which is the active ingredient that allows Viagra to work the way it does. It consists of smaller amounts of other ingredients that give the medication form and allow it to be metabolized easier. However, the function remains the same.
One of the first generic Viagra variants was first introduced through a subsidiary called Greenstone. Later on, other companies started to create other variants of the sildenafil medication through their use of similar ingredients.
What Does Generic Viagra Look Like Compared to Other Variants?
The appearance of Viagra is what makes it easily identifiable among other medication pills. Specifically, the brand-name Viagra comes with the following features:
- A four-sided shape, which closely resembles that of a diamond with rounder edges.
- Blue in color, somewhat pale-like instead of something brighter.
- On one side, the word “Pfizer” is written in landscape form. The other side would contain the dosage of the tablet.
On the other hand, the generic variants come with a completely different layout to this. Usually, they come in various shapes and sizes. In some cases, even the color would vary. However, it would typically still be blue.
An excellent example of how different generic Viagra may appear is the chewable Viagra variant made by BlueChew. They are one of the most popular generic sildenafil manufacturers and have their pills shaped like a circle. They also look somewhat smaller than the brand-name Viagra but keep a similar blue shade to them.
The Effects of Generic Viagra
Generic Viagra brings forth the same if not similar side effects as the brand-name Viagra. Most of these side effects are temporary and common, including:
- Headaches and nausea
- Flushing and redness around the body
- Diarrhea, indigestion, or stomachaches
- Body or muscle pain
- Sensitivity to light
In some cases, serious side effects may also occur -which often require immediate medical attention as this could cause further complications to the medication consumer.
Some of the rather severe side effects are as follows:
- Ringing in the ears or loss of hearing
- Severe or sudden loss of vision
- Lightheadedness and fainting
- Shortness of breath and chest pains
- The sudden appearance of rashes
- Itching or burning feeling during urination
What Sets Generic Viagra Apart
The primary factor that keeps people informed of whether they are consuming generic Viagra or not is evaluating the medication's appearance, mainly because the brand-name Viagra has quite a distinct look. When it shows any differences, this indicates that the medicine is the generic variant, especially if it comes in a different color than the usual pale blue.
Another critical characteristic of generic sildenafil is the cost. They are priced much cheaper than the brand-name Viagra tablets, suitable for those who need the medication but don't have the financial means to afford the original brand. The price would often be a difference of more than half of the branded medicine.
In terms of effectiveness, both variants work equally well and are similar because they come with the same active ingredients to produce successful erections. Despite being different in terms of appearance and cost, it doesn't change the tablet's efficiency, nor does it change the way it works in the body.
Generally, there are not that many differences between Viagra and its generic counterpart when it comes to how it works. Generic variants for brand-named medication would usually go through a specific process to ensure the active ingredients are the same as that of the original counterpart.
Important Notes to Remember When Consuming Generic Viagra
With the consumption of the medication, the same rules will apply before taking generic Viagra. Some of these include making sure they aren't taken simultaneously with blood pressure or heart-related medication. Neither can they be mixed with other erectile dysfunction medications as they could cause further complications.
In other places, the generic counterpart for Viagra can be purchased without requiring you a prescription. These make it easier to access than brand-name medication while also being at a more affordable rate for the majority.
Like Viagra, the generic variant can treat more than just erectile dysfunction. It works to treat cases such as high blood pressure and pulmonary arterial hypertension and produces the issue with erections.