ED treatment in the Philippines for expats and visitors

Sildenafil and tadalafil in the Philippines for expats: prescriptions, whether a home prescription works, bringing your own supply, and prices in dollars.

Short answer

Sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are easy to find in the Philippines and much cheaper here than in most Western countries, but they are prescription medicines. Pharmacists may or may not accept a prescription from home; a Philippine e-prescription from a PRC-licensed doctor works everywhere. You can bring a personal supply in its original packaging with your prescription and a doctor's letter.

Medically reviewed by Pending: licensed PH physicianLast reviewed October 29, 2026

The four questions most expats ask first

These are the answers most readers need before anything else. Each one links to a longer guide.

Do I need a prescription?

Yes. Sildenafil and tadalafil are prescription medicines in the Philippines, as they are in the US and Australia. Pharmacies are required to check a prescription before dispensing them, and the large chains do. The prescription has to come from a doctor, and the simplest kind for a pharmacist to accept is one from a doctor licensed by the Philippine Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Read Is Viagra over the counter in the Philippines? for the detail.

Will my home prescription work?

Possibly, but do not count on it. A foreign prescription is accepted or refused at the pharmacist's discretion. Some pharmacists in Makati, BGC or Cebu will accept a clear, typed prescription in English from a US, UK or Australian doctor; others will only accept a prescription from a PRC-licensed doctor. The safe route is to get a Philippine e-prescription, which takes a short online consultation. Our guide to prescriptions for foreigners covers which providers say they serve foreign nationals and how to pay without GCash or Maya.

Can I bring my own supply?

Generally yes, for personal use. The 2015 joint circular of the Department of Health, FDA Philippines and the Bureau of Customs lets travellers bring prescription medicines for their own use without prior FDA clearance, in the quantity on the prescription. A reasonable personal supply (about 30 to 90 days), in original packaging, with the prescription and a doctor's letter, is the practical standard. Rules can change, so check with the Bureau of Customs and FDA Philippines before travelling. See bringing ED medication into the Philippines.

What does it cost in dollars?

On this page prices show in US dollars by default; use the currency selector for pounds, Australian dollars or euros. The cheapest checked generic sildenafil 50 mg tablet is US$0.82 (Erecto, TGP). Branded Viagra 50 mg is US$15.25 (Viagra, Watsons). For tadalafil 20 mg, the range runs from US$6.58 (Torfil, Watsons) to US$17.56 (Cialis, Southstar Drug). Every row is in the full price table in dollars, pounds and euros.

Guides in this section

Who this guide is for

This section is written for foreign residents and long-stay visitors: retirees on an SRRV, spouses of Filipino citizens, people on extended tourist visas, and those who split the year between home and the Philippines. Most readers are over 50. Many already manage diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or an enlarged prostate (BPH), and some were prescribed sildenafil or tadalafil at home years ago.

Erectile dysfunction is common with age, and it is often linked to the same conditions that bring older men to a doctor in the first place: narrowed blood vessels, diabetes, nerve changes and certain medicines. The NHS describes ED as very common and usually treatable, and it notes that it can be an early sign of heart or blood vessel problems. If ED is new for you, or has changed, a check-up is worth it for that reason alone. Our page on causes of ED explains the links.

We do not sell medicine and we do not take orders. This is an independent reference: what the rules are, what things cost, and how to see a licensed doctor here.

How do sildenafil and tadalafil work, and which is more common here?

Both belong to a group called PDE5 inhibitors. They help blood flow into the penis in response to arousal; they do not cause an erection on their own. Both are widely stocked in the Philippines, in the original brands and in many cheaper generics.

Sildenafil, the medicine in Viagra, works for a few hours. In the Philippines it is sold as 25, 50 and 100 mg tablets. Local brands include Erecto, Spiagra, Zilden, RiteMed Sildenafil, Tigerfil and Andros. See the sildenafil guide.
Tadalafil, the medicine in Cialis, lasts much longer, up to about a day and a half. It comes as 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg tablets. The main local generic is Torfil. A low daily strength is also used for the urinary symptoms of BPH, which is relevant to many older readers. See the tadalafil guide and daily tadalafil.

Which one suits you, and at what strength and frequency, is your doctor's decision. Our comparison of sildenafil and tadalafil sets out the differences to discuss.

Is generic Viagra in the Philippines the same as the original?

Yes, in the way that matters. A generic registered with FDA Philippines contains the same active ingredient, at the same strength, as the original brand. What differs is the maker, the tablet's look, the packaging and, very much, the price.

The difference between the cheapest and dearest sildenafil 50 mg tablet we checked is about 19 times. For tadalafil 20 mg it is about 3 times. Many expats who paid for branded Viagra or Cialis at home switch to a local generic here after talking it through with a doctor.

Two cautions apply.

Registered products only. A genuine generic has a Philippine registration you can look up on the FDA Verification Portal. FDA Philippines regularly warns against unregistered and counterfeit health products sold online and by street sellers. See how to spot fake ED pills.
Licensed pharmacies only. Getting your medicine from a chain pharmacy such as Watsons, Mercury Drug, TGP, Southstar Drug or Rose Pharmacy, or through a licensed telehealth service, avoids the counterfeit problem almost entirely.

For brand-by-brand detail, see Viagra in the Philippines, Cialis, Torfil and Erecto.

What if I have heart disease, diabetes or prostate problems?

These conditions do not rule out treatment, but they shape it. Your doctor needs your full list of medicines and conditions, including anything you take only occasionally.

Heart disease and angina. Sildenafil and tadalafil must never be combined with nitrates (nitroglycerin spray or tablets under the tongue, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate) because the combination can drop blood pressure dangerously. They are usually avoided after a recent heart attack or stroke and in severe heart failure. If you carry a nitrate spray for angina, tell every doctor and every emergency team.
High blood pressure. Most blood pressure medicines can be used with PDE5 inhibitors, but alpha blockers need care, because the two together can cause dizziness on standing.
Enlarged prostate (BPH). Alpha blockers such as tamsulosin, doxazosin and alfuzosin are common BPH treatments. A doctor will think about timing and strength if you take one. Daily tadalafil is also licensed in some countries for BPH symptoms, which can make one medicine do two jobs.
Diabetes. ED is more common and often more stubborn in men with diabetes, because of both blood vessel and nerve changes. Good blood sugar control helps, and PDE5 inhibitors are commonly prescribed.
Kidney or liver disease. These can change how the body clears the medicine, so the doctor may choose a lower strength.

More detail is in side effects and safety. If you are unsure whether symptoms are ED at all, our free ED self-check takes two minutes and stores nothing.

How do I see a doctor here as a foreigner?

You have three practical routes, and all of them work in English.

Online consultation

An online consultation with a PRC-licensed doctor is the quickest route for most expats. You answer a medical questionnaire, sometimes followed by a video or chat consult, and the doctor issues a Philippine e-prescription if treatment is appropriate. Several services also arrange delivery of the medicine.

Of the services we track, delivery coverage is as published by each provider: Rocky (GoRocky) says it delivers same-day in Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite and free nationwide; NowExpress says it delivers nationwide, free in Metro Manila; Doctor Anywhere offers same-day delivery for requests made before 1 pm. Rocky lists a free consult, and Doctor Anywhere's GP video consult fee is US$9.17.

Most of these services do not say on their sites whether they serve foreign nationals. Pulse Clinic does: it says it serves foreigners and offers messaging by WhatsApp, Viber or LINE. For the full comparison, see online ED consultation in the Philippines.

Men's health clinic

Pulse Clinic has clinics in Makati and in Angeles near Clark. In BGC, Brovage Clinic offers men's health consultations. These clinics see ED regularly and are used to foreign patients.

Hospital urologist

For a full work-up, especially if ED came on with diabetes, heart disease or prostate symptoms, a urologist at a tertiary hospital is the thorough option. St. Luke's Medical Center in BGC and Quezon City has an Institute of Urology with an andrology and erectile function service. Our urologists and clinics directory lists only entries we have verified.

Each city guide below covers the local options in more depth:

What should I bring to the consultation?

Bringing the right information shortens the consultation and helps the doctor prescribe safely.

Your current medicine list, with generic names and strengths. Brand names differ between countries, so generic names matter.
Your old prescription for sildenafil or tadalafil, if you have one, and how well it worked.
Recent blood pressure readings, and recent blood sugar or HbA1c results if you have diabetes.
Any heart history: heart attack, stents, bypass, angina, heart failure, irregular rhythm.
Your passport details. Some services and clinics record them for foreign patients.

Philippine doctors write prescriptions with their PRC licence number. Ask for the generic name to be included, which makes it easier to compare pharmacy prices.

How do I pay without GCash or Maya?

GCash and Maya are the most common ways to pay online in the Philippines, but both need a local mobile number and, for full features, identity checks that some foreigners cannot complete. You can manage without them.

At pharmacies. Cash is accepted everywhere. Most large Watsons, Mercury Drug and Southstar Drug branches in malls take international Visa and Mastercard cards. Smaller branches may be cash only.
Online services. Payment methods are listed at checkout. Before you start, check that a foreign-issued card is accepted, or ask through the service's chat. Some foreign cards are declined by local payment gateways, and your home bank may block the first transaction until you confirm it.
Clinics and hospitals. Hospital cashiers generally take major credit cards. Ask about payment when you book.

International health insurance may cover a consultation for ED, particularly if it is linked to diabetes or heart disease. It rarely covers the medicine itself. PhilHealth membership is open to some foreign residents; check eligibility directly with PhilHealth.

How do pharmacy prices compare in dollars?

Philippine prices for generic sildenafil and tadalafil are low by Western standards, and branded Viagra and Cialis are often cheaper too. Because the site's prices are in pesos, every figure on these pages is converted at a fixed reference rate, not a live rate.

Medicine and strength	Cheapest checked tablet	Dearest checked tablet
Sildenafil 50 mg	US$0.82 (Erecto, TGP)	US$15.25 (Viagra, Watsons)
Sildenafil 100 mg	US$0.85 (Spiagra, TGP)	US$19.47 (Viagra, Watsons)
Tadalafil 20 mg	US$6.58 (Torfil, Watsons)	US$17.56 (Cialis, Southstar Drug)

The full sortable list, with the date each price was checked and a link to the source, is on ED medicine prices in dollars, pounds and euros. For the peso-based price guides, see sildenafil prices, tadalafil prices and the Viagra price guide. The cost calculator works out a monthly figure for any medicine and pharmacy we have checked.

Should I bring medicine from home or get it here?

Both are legitimate. The choice usually comes down to cost, convenience and how long you are staying.

Bringing it from home makes sense for a short stay, or if you are settled on a medicine and strength and your home supply is covered by insurance or a national scheme. Pack it in original packaging, in your hand luggage, with the prescription and a doctor's letter. The detail is in bringing ED medication into the Philippines.

Getting it here makes sense for long stays, retirees and anyone paying full price at home. Generic prices are low, the pharmacies are everywhere, and an online consultation with a PRC-licensed doctor gives you a prescription that every pharmacy accepts. It also gives you a doctor in the country if anything changes.

A common pattern is to bring a month or two of your usual supply, then switch to a local prescription once you have seen a doctor here.

How do refills work if I live here long term?

Once you have a Philippine prescription, refills are straightforward. The prescription states the medicine, strength and quantity, and the pharmacist records what is dispensed against it. When it runs out, you go back to the prescribing doctor, in person or online, for a new one.

A few habits make long-term care easier for residents:

Keep one prescribing doctor. Seeing the same doctor, or the same online service, means your history, blood pressure readings and other medicines are already on file, and a renewal takes minutes.
Keep a paper or photo copy. Pharmacies in provincial towns may not handle e-prescriptions as smoothly as Metro Manila branches. A printed copy, or a clear photo on your phone, helps when you travel between islands.
Review once a year. ED often changes with age, weight, blood sugar and new medicines. An annual review with your regular doctor, together with blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, is a sensible routine.
Tell the doctor about new medicines. If a cardiologist or another specialist starts you on something new, especially a nitrate, an alpha blocker or certain antifungal or HIV medicines, let your prescribing doctor know before your next refill.
Plan trips home. If you will be away for several months, ask your Philippine doctor for a prescription and a short letter you can carry, so your home doctor or pharmacist can see what you have been taking.

What should I avoid?

Most of the risk in the Philippines comes from where the tablets come from, not from the medicine itself.

Street sellers and unlicensed online sellers. Tablets offered with no prescription, on marketplaces or social media, or by people approaching you in public places, are frequently unregistered or counterfeit. FDA Philippines has warned repeatedly against the sale and use of unauthorized health products.
"Herbal" ED products. Supplements and "herbal" capsules sometimes contain hidden sildenafil or tadalafil at unknown doses. That is a particular danger for anyone on nitrates. No supplement has been shown to treat ED.
Doubling up. Do not combine a home supply with a local one, or two different PDE5 inhibitors, unless a doctor has told you to.
Ignoring warning symptoms. Chest pain during sexual activity, an erection lasting over 4 hours, or sudden vision or hearing loss need urgent medical care. In Metro Manila and the large cities, go to a hospital emergency room.

Getting emergency care

The UK FCDO notes that medical care in the Philippines may not meet UK standards, particularly in rural and remote areas, and that private hospital treatment is expensive. It advises having insurance and accessible funds to cover treatment. The large private hospitals in Metro Manila, Cebu and Clark have emergency departments; keep a credit card and your insurance details to hand. The FCDO also keeps a list of medical providers where some staff speak English, and the US State Department's country page carries similar travel health information for American citizens.

Save the address of your nearest tertiary hospital's emergency room in your phone, and keep a written list of your medicines in your wallet. If you use nitrates for angina, write that at the top.

Next step: talk to a licensed doctor

If you need a prescription here, or want to switch from a home brand to a local generic, the simplest first step is a consultation with a PRC-licensed doctor. It takes a few minutes online and works in English.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a prescription for sildenafil or tadalafil in the Philippines?

Yes. Both are prescription medicines in the Philippines. Pharmacies such as Watsons, Mercury Drug, TGP and Rose Pharmacy ask to see a prescription before they dispense them. You can get one from a doctor licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), in person or through an online consultation.

Will a prescription from the US, UK, Australia or Europe work at a Philippine pharmacy?

Sometimes. Whether a pharmacist accepts a foreign prescription is up to the pharmacist, and many will not. The dependable route is a Philippine prescription or e-prescription from a PRC-licensed doctor, which every pharmacy can check.

Can I bring my own ED medication into the Philippines?

Generally yes, for personal use. Under the 2015 DOH, FDA and Bureau of Customs joint circular, prescription medicines for personal use can come in your baggage without prior FDA clearance, in the quantity on your prescription. Keep the original packaging, carry the prescription and a doctor's letter, and check with the Bureau of Customs and FDA Philippines before you travel, because rules can change.

How much does sildenafil cost in the Philippines in dollars?

It ranges widely. A generic sildenafil 50 mg tablet costs a small fraction of branded Viagra at the same strength. Our price table shows every checked price in US dollars, pounds, Australian dollars or euros, converted from pesos at a fixed reference rate.

Can I pay without GCash or Maya?

Usually. Large pharmacy branches in malls generally take international Visa and Mastercard cards, and cash is accepted everywhere. Online providers list their payment methods at checkout; check that a foreign-issued card works before you complete a consultation.

Are there English-speaking doctors for ED in the Philippines?

Yes. English is an official language of the Philippines and doctors are trained in English. Pulse Clinic, which has clinics in Makati and Angeles, says on its own site that it serves foreign nationals. Hospital urology departments in Manila, Cebu and Clark also see foreign patients.

Is it safe to take ED medicine if I have heart disease or take nitrates?

Sildenafil and tadalafil must not be combined with nitrates, such as nitroglycerin sprays or isosorbide tablets, and are usually avoided after a recent heart attack or stroke. A doctor needs your full medicine list before prescribing. Seek urgent care for an erection lasting over 4 hours or sudden loss of vision or hearing.

Sources

1.Bringing regulated products for personal use into the Philippines (DOH-FDA-BOC Joint Circular No. 1, 2015). Embassy of the Philippines, Berlin.
2.Prohibited and restricted importations. Bureau of Customs, Philippines.
3.FDA Verification Portal. Food and Drug Administration Philippines.
4.FDA Advisory No. 2025-1489: public health warning against the sale and purchase of unauthorized health products. Food and Drug Administration Philippines.
5.Philippines international travel information. US Department of State.
6.Philippines travel advice: health. UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
7.Medicines and travel. TravelHealthPro (UK Health Security Agency).
8.How and where to get sildenafil. NHS.
9.Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS.
10.Erectile dysfunction care. Pulse Clinic Philippines.

This site is for education only and is not medical advice: diagnosis and treatment, including whether a medicine is right for you and how much to take, are decided by a licensed doctor.