The Independent Pharmacy

Unlicensed Kamagra ED Treatment - Is It Safe?

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm GPhC 2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Since the early 2000s, men have increasingly turned to the internet for erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment. To start with, they’d choose well-known, MHRA-approved medications like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil), prescribed by doctors and available through legitimate pharmacies. However, in search of cheaper alternatives, some men have come across Kamagra, a widely discussed but unlicensed ED treatment.

Kamagra is marketed as an affordable alternative to Viagra, claiming to contain the same active ingredient, sildenafil citrate. It’s often sold online, without a prescription, making it seem like a convenient option. But, because Kamagra isn’t licensed for use in the UK, its safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects aren’t clear.

Key Takeaway 1

Kamagra is an unlicensed medication that is illegal in the UK

Key Takeaway 2

There are serious safety risks associated with taking unregulated ED medication

Key Takeaway 3

Safe, legal, and affordable alternatives are readily available

Find a safer alternative to Kamagra with an erectile dysfunction consultation.

What Is Kamagra?

Kamagra is a brand of erectile dysfunction treatment that claims to contain sildenafil citrate. This is the same active ingredient found in Viagra. It’s available in different formats, including:

The jellies are marketed as a more convenient and faster-acting option. These variations make Kamagra appealing to men looking for alternatives to traditional impotence medications.

Kamagra is made by Ajanta Pharma, a pharmaceutical company based in India. While it is sold in many countries, it isn’t licensed for use in the UK or Europe. This means it hasn’t been tested or approved by regulatory bodies such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Because of this, its safety, quality, and effectiveness can’t be guaranteed. This makes it a potentially risky option for men looking for reliable ED treatment.

Man sitting on bed thinking

How Does Kamagra Claim To Work?

Kamagra claims to work in the same way as Viagra by using sildenafil citrate - a type of medication known as a PDE5 inhibitor. Sildenafil helps with erectile dysfunction by relaxing the blood vessels in your penis, letting more blood flow into your penis when you are sexually excited. This improved circulation makes it easier to get and keep an erection long enough for successful sexual activity.

However, while Kamagra says that it contains sildenafil, there is no official regulation to verify its ingredients or effectiveness. Without proper licensing, there is no guarantee that it contains the correct amount of sildenafil - or any at all.

Inconsistent dosages and potentially harmful additives are risks associated with unlicensed ED treatments. For this reason, men considering Kamagra should be aware that, although it claims to work like Viagra, there is no way to confirm its safety, quality, or reliability due to the lack of regulatory approval.

Understanding The Risks Of Unlicensed ED Medication

As we know, there’s no way to know whether taking Kamagra truly is safe or not.

One of the biggest dangers is the presence of unknown ingredients. Without proper testing, you can’t confirm whether Kamagra actually contains sildenafil or if it has been mixed with other substances that could be harmful.

Incorrect dosages are another serious concern. Licensed medications undergo strict quality control to ensure each dose contains the correct amount of active ingredient. With unregulated treatments, there is no guarantee - some batches may have too little sildenafil to be effective, while others could even contain dangerously high doses. These can increase the risk of severe side effects, such as dangerously low blood pressure, heart problems, or prolonged erections that need medical attention.

Unlicensed medications may also contain dangerous fillers or contaminants. In some cases, counterfeit ED drugs have been found to include toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, or even prescription drugs meant for other conditions.

Without regulation, there is no way to know what you’re putting into your body. Choosing unlicensed ED treatments puts your health at serious risk, making it vital to seek safe, approved alternatives instead.

Licensed vs Unlicensed Erectile Dysfunction Medication

FeatureLicensed ED Medications (e.g., Viagra)Unlicensed Medications (e.g., Kamagra)
Manufacturing StandardsMust comply with strict UK manufacturing guidelinesNo regulatory oversight or standards
Quality ControlRegular testing throughout manufacturing, storage and supplyNo verifiable quality control
Safety TestingMust undergo clinical trials to prove safetyNo proven safety testing
Ingredient VerificationContains exactly what is stated on the labelNo way to verify actual ingredients
Legal Status in UKLegal when prescribed by licensed professionalsNot approved for use in UK
Prescription RequirementsMust be prescribed by healthcare professionalsNo prescription process
Side Effect MonitoringWell-researched and documented side effectsUnknown and unpredictable side effects
Storage RequirementsControlled storage conditionsUnknown storage conditions

Is Kamagra Legal In The UK?

Kamagra isn’t legal in the UK. It isn’t licensed for use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), so it can’t be prescribed by doctors or sold legally in pharmacies.

Despite this, Kamagra is widely available online, often sold without a prescription. However, just because it’s available doesn’t mean that it’s safe. There’s no way to verify the ingredients or the dose, meaning that choosing to buy Kamagra in the UK is always a risk.

How To Buy ED Treatment Safely

If you want to get erectile dysfunction treatment online, it’s important to be sure that you’re using a licensed and regulated pharmacy. In the UK, all online pharmacies must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). You can check a pharmacy’s registration on those official websites before you buy from them.

A key sign of a trustworthy pharmacy is that it needs you to provide a valid prescription for ED medication. Licensed treatments like Viagra, Cialis, and their generic versions can only be legally sold with a prescription.

Some regulated online pharmacies offer an online consultation with a healthcare professional to assess your suitability before issuing a prescription. This is absolutely fine, provided the consultation is with a UK-licensed clinician.

Avoid websites that sell ED medication without a prescription or offer unlicensed drugs like Kamagra. These sites may supply counterfeit or unsafe products. Always check for proper regulation and buy from reputable UK-based pharmacies to ensure you receive safe and effective treatment.

Safe And Legal Alternatives To Kamagra

There are several safe and legal alternatives to Kamagra available through regulated UK pharmacies, ensuring both effectiveness and quality. These medications are licensed for erectile dysfunction treatment and there are many options to suit different needs and budgets.

One of the most well-known treatments is Viagra, which contains sildenafil, the same active ingredient Kamagra claims to have.

A more affordable option is generic Sildenafil which works in the same way as Viagra but at a lower cost.

Other alternatives include Cialis (which contains tadalafil) and its cheaper generic Tadalafil version. Tadalafil lasts longer in the body, making it a preferred choice for men who want more flexibility.

Generic Vardenafil tablets (the unbranded version of Levitra) and Spedra (which contains avanafil) are also effective, fast-acting options.

These alternatives are safer and more reliable than Kamagra because they’re MHRA-approved and sold by legitimate pharmacies, ensuring consistent quality, proper dosages, and medical supervision.

Always Remember...

It is essential that you speak to a licensed medical professional before starting any ED medication. They can provide personalised, expert guidance, assess potential risks and ensure that your chosen treatment is safe and suitable for your health needs.

Find Safe Erectile Dysfunction Treatments

When it comes to treating erectile dysfunction, safety should always come first. Unregulated medications carry serious risks, including harmful side effects and unknown substances.

For safe and effective ED treatment, it’s always best to choose licensed medications from regulated UK pharmacies. If you're struggling with ED, speak to a doctor or pharmacist to find the right treatment for you. A professional consultation ensures you get safe, reliable, and medically approved options.

What's Next?

If you're experiencing impotence, a discreet erectile dysfunction consultation with a qualified professional can help you find a safe and effective treatment. Get expert advice and personalised recommendations based on your needs.

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Scott McDougall

Authored by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.