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New drug-free Viagra alternative available to buy in UK
If you're looking for an alternative to Viagra and other erectile dysfunction medications, then you have a new, drug-free treatment at your disposal.
Eroxon is available over the counter at pharmacies and is suitable for people who can’t use Viagra due to pre-existing medical conditions.
It also claims to act faster than other erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments, getting to work in just 10 minutes.
Here, we look at how Eroxon works, what it costs compared to the alternatives, where you can buy it – and what you need to know before you buy.
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Eroxon: how it works, who can use it and where to buy it
Eroxon is a gel that is applied to the head of the penis. It stimulates nerve endings with a cooling and warming sensation that, according to Eroxon’s research, will help achieve erection when combined with sexual stimulation.
The company says it's suitable for people with mild to severe erectile dysfunction.
A 12-week clinical trial by the brand found that 67% of subjects reported a significant improvement in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection. This rose to 80% of those with severe erectile dysfunction.
Since Eroxon doesn’t include an active ingredient, it’s technically classed as a ‘medical device’, not a medicine. It works physically instead of pharmacologically.
This also means it's suitable for people who can’t use Viagra (though the advice is that if you have certain conditions such as heart problems you should seek medical advice as sexual activity may put a strain on these, and ED can be an early sign of some more serious illnesses).
While you can also buy Viagra without a prescription, a pharmacist will need to ask you some screening questions to make sure it won’t interact with other medications you’re taking or conditions you have. If you order online, you'll need to answer a questionnaire.
Eroxon is sold in packs of four single-use tubes, each containing a pea-sized amount of gel. A pack of four costs £24.99 (£6.20 per tube), and it’s available from Boots and some independent pharmacies.
Eroxon vs Viagra and other erectile dysfunction treatments
Currently, the main over-the-counter alternative is Viagra Connect; it comes in tablet form, containing the active ingredient sildenafil, and takes 30-60 minutes to kick in.
A four-pack of Viagra Connect costs £22.99 at Boots and Well Pharmacy, £21.95 at Superdrug, and £19.99 at Lloyds Pharmacy, so it’s slightly cheaper than Eroxon at around £5 to £6 per tablet.
The cheapest option is generic or own-brand sildenafil, which Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy now sell over the counter. Four-packs are £14.99 at Boots, Superdrug and Well Pharmacy, or £15 at Lloyds Pharmacy, which works out at £3.75 per tablet.
Another erectile dysfunction drug, tadalafil, which works in a similar way to sildenafil, was recently reclassified as an over-the-counter medication. Four tablets of the generic version cost £27 at Superdrug, £25 at Lloyds Pharmacy or £24.50 at Well Pharmacy, around the same price as Eroxon but more expensive than Viagra Connect or generic sildenafil.
The branded version of tadalafil, Cialis Together, is cheaper than these generic versions at Boots at just £17.59 for four tablets. That's £4.40 per dose. Though it is currently reduced from £21.99 (£5.50 per tablet). It's £21.99 at Well Pharmacy.
Price comparison: erectile dysfunction treatments
| Treatment | Where is it cheapest?* | Price (four-pack) | Price (per dose) |
| Tadalafil (generic) | Lloyds Pharmacy | £25 | £6.25 |
| Eroxon | Boots | £24.99 | £6.25 |
| Viagra Connect (branded sildenafil) | Lloyds Pharmacy | £19.99 | £5 |
| Cialis Together (generic tadalafil) | Boots | £17.59 (on offer, usually £21.99) | £4.40 (on offer, usually £5.50) |
| Sildenafil (generic) | Boots, Superdrug and Well Pharmacy | £14.99 | £3.75 |
*Prices checked 24 July 2023
Can you get Viagra on prescription?
Sildenafil and tadalafil are both available on prescription, which means you'll pay £9.65, but only if you get a diagnosis from your GP.
Buying treatments over the counter might be a more convenient option, but if you're struggling with erectile dysfunction, it's a good idea to talk to your GP to check there’s no underlying issue that should be treated.
You may also be able to have a positive impact by making lifestyle changes that improve your cardiovascular health, such as better diet and exercise.
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Stay on top of your sexual health
If you’re experiencing other sexual health symptoms, it’s important to get these checked out.
You can find your local sexual health clinic on the NHS website and make an appointment there, or you can visit your GP. In some areas, and for some conditions, you can get home test kits.
It’s important to use protection, and one innovation in this space is a new range of condoms by Roam, which come in varying skin tones (£15 for 12, from Boots).
Why is it so hard to get a GP appointment? We investigate what's gone wrong and how to get help when you need it.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on 2 May 2023. It was updated on 24 July 2023 to include new price analysis.
