Kamagra is one of the most searched-for names in men’s health, and many people want to know how it compares with Viagra. The short version: both contain sildenafil, the same active ingredient. The differences are in the forms, the strengths, who makes them and how they are licensed.
What is the same
- The active ingredient. Viagra contains sildenafil citrate1, and so do the Kamagra products we stock, which list sildenafil citrate 100 mg and name Ajanta Pharma, an Indian company, as the manufacturer (see our Kamagra Gold 100 mg page).
- How it works. Sildenafil helps blood flow into the penis when you are sexually aroused. It does not cause an erection on its own1.
- Timing. Sildenafil is usually taken about an hour before sex, and a heavy, fatty meal can slow it down1.
- Side effects. Headache, flushing, indigestion, a blocked nose and temporary vision changes are the most common1.
- The safety rules. Never with nitrate medicines for chest pain or “poppers”, no more than one dose a day, and emergency help for an erection lasting more than 4 hours1.
What differs
| Viagra | Kamagra | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Pfizer (now Viatris)1 | Ajanta Pharma, India (as named on the packs we stock) |
| Strengths | 25, 50 and 100 mg tablets1 | Mostly 100 mg; some 50 mg |
| Forms | Film-coated tablets1 | Tablets, oral jelly sachets, chewable and effervescent tablets |
| UK status | Licensed; Viagra Connect 50 mg is a pharmacy medicine2 | Not licensed in the UK3 |
| US status | Approved, prescription only1 | Not FDA-approved: not listed in Drugs@FDA5, and no US label on DailyMed4 |
Because most Kamagra products come in a single 100 mg strength, which is the highest licensed dose of sildenafil1, they leave less room to start low. Men who need a lower dose, for example because they take alpha-blockers or certain other medicines, should not simply take a full 100 mg1.
The legal position
In the UK, the medicines regulator (MHRA) describes Kamagra and Super Kamagra as unlicensed medicines, and has prosecuted people for supplying them illegally3. The MHRA warns that unlicensed medicines may have potentially dangerous side effects, and that ED medicines are a popular target for criminals selling unlicensed and counterfeit products23.
In the United States, Kamagra is not an FDA-approved medicine. It is not listed in Drugs@FDA, the FDA’s database of approved drugs, while Viagra is5.
How we supply it. The Kamagra products on OnlineMeds are made by Ajanta Pharma in India and are listed as prescription medicines, for personal use. Whether you may import them depends on the law where you live. Where Kamagra is not licensed, such as the UK and the US, the simplest legal route is a licensed sildenafil product prescribed by your own doctor or supplied by your pharmacist.
Rules on importing a medicine for your own use differ from country to country. Before ordering any ED medicine from abroad, check the rules where you live; our guides cover the UK, United States, Australia and EU. For the over-the-counter rules for licensed ED medicines, see is Viagra over the counter?
Is Kamagra safe?
The active ingredient is the same as Viagra’s, so the risks of sildenafil apply: it is not safe with nitrates or poppers, and not suitable for some men with heart disease, very low or very high blood pressure, or a recent heart attack or stroke1. The extra uncertainty with any product bought outside regulated channels is whether it contains what the label says. ED medicines are a common target for counterfeiters2, so if you use a sildenafil product, buy from a pharmacy that asks for a prescription and names the manufacturer, and have a medical check first. See our guide to ED pills and your heart.
Kamagra Oral Jelly
The jelly form is popular because it is easy to swallow. It contains sildenafil like the tablets, so the same dose limits, timing and safety rules apply. Take no more than one sachet’s dose of sildenafil in 24 hours, and do not combine it with tablets.
We list our sildenafil products on the sildenafil medicines page, including Kamagra Oral Jelly, and the licensed alternatives on our generic Viagra page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kamagra the same as Viagra?
Both contain sildenafil, so they work in the same way and have the same side effects and safety rules. They differ in maker, strengths, forms and licensing.
Is Kamagra stronger than Viagra?
No. A 100 mg Kamagra tablet contains the same amount of sildenafil as a 100 mg Viagra tablet, which is the highest licensed dose. Viagra also comes in lower strengths.
Is Kamagra legal in the UK or the US?
Kamagra is not licensed in the UK, and the MHRA has prosecuted people for selling it illegally. In the US it is not an FDA-approved medicine. Check the rules where you live before ordering any medicine from abroad.
Can Kamagra kill you?
Sildenafil can be dangerous with nitrate medicines or poppers, and in some men with serious heart disease. Products from unregulated sources may not contain what they claim. Have a medical check first, and never combine it with nitrates.
Can I take Kamagra on a plane?
Keep any medicine in its original packaging with your prescription, and check the medicine rules of the country you are travelling to before you go.
Sources & references
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Viagra (sildenafil) prescribing information.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. MHRA reclassifies Viagra Connect tablets to a Pharmacy medicine. 28 November 2017.
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Sussex criminal sentenced for laundering proceeds from the sale of black-market medicines. 1 August 2019.
- US National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Search results for “kamagra” (no labels found, checked 14 October 2026).
- US Food and Drug Administration. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs (searched for “Kamagra”: no match; “Viagra”: listed. Checked 16 October 2026).
Related reading
- Is Viagra over the counter?
- How to take sildenafil
- Generic sildenafil guide
- ED medication side effects compared
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or legal advice. Check the medicine rules where you live, and get a medical check before taking any ED medicine. Used as prescribed by a licensed medical professional.
Henry Thomas is a licensed clinical pharmacist with 15 years of experience. He holds a B.Pharm and M.Pharm from Mahatma Gandhi University. At OnlineMeds, he reviews medicine and health content to help ensure it is accurate, evidence-based, and easy to understand.