Under existing U.S. regulations, Viagra and other PDE5-inhibiting drugs are available only with a doctor’s prescription. To get a prescription, you can visit your doctor’s office and explain in detail your problems in getting and keeping an erection. Depending on the nature of your symptoms and other factors in your medical history, your doctor may or may not suggest that you undergo further testing to pinpoint the cause of your ED symptoms. If the doctor is satisfied that Viagra or another PDE5 inhibitor will help you to overcome your erectile difficulties, he or she will write a prescription that you can have filled at a local or online pharmacy.

If you decide to purchase Viagra online, make sure you’re dealing with a reputable company that sources its drugs from licensed U.S. pharmacies. Secure Medical, based in Tempe, Arizona, has several online outlets — ViaMedic, eDrugstore, and AccessRX — that fall into this category. As an added service, these websites can arrange online consultations with one of their contract physicians who can write you a prescription if it’s deemed appropriate.