Online ED Treatment in Japan: Viagra, Levitra & Cialis Delivered Home

What Is Online Medical Consultation?

Online medical consultation (telemedicine) is a service that allows you to receive a medical examination from a physician using a smartphone or computer, from the comfort of your own home. Regulations were relaxed in April 2020, making it possible to receive online consultations even for first-time visits.

Because ED treatment is centered on patient interviews (medical history-taking), it is considered highly compatible with online consultation. The physician primarily needs to confirm information such as “in what situations do symptoms occur” and “do you have any underlying conditions or take any medications,” all of which can be sufficiently assessed through a video call or telephone consultation.

While in-person consultations inevitably involve contact with physicians, nurses, and other patients, a major advantage of online consultation is that you can receive care in the reassuring environment of your own home.

ED Treatment Is Out-of-Pocket Care

ED treatment is out-of-pocket care that is not covered by Japanese public health insurance. As a result, presentation of a health insurance card is not required, and no billing notices or itemized statements will be sent to your home or workplace.

The fact that there is almost no risk of family or coworkers finding out is one of the major reasons online consultation is so popular. Additionally, it is standard practice for clinics to use plain packaging that conceals the clinic name and otherwise ship medications in a privacy-conscious manner.

Benefits of Receiving ED Treatment via Online Consultation

Online medical consultation offers many advantages that traditional in-person consultations cannot match. The main benefits are “no clinic visits required,” “nationwide coverage,” “no insurance card needed,” and “delivery as fast as the next day.”

• No clinic visit required, even for first-time consultations: Following the April 2020 regulatory relaxation, you can receive care without visiting the clinic in person even if it is your first time
• Begin treatment without meeting anyone in person: No face-to-face encounters with other patients in the waiting room
• Accessible from anywhere in Japan: With an internet connection, patients in rural areas can receive the same treatment as those near urban clinics
• Medication delivered to your home: Delivery as fast as the next day, with discreet packaging and clinic-name-concealed shipping options

No Clinic Visit Required, Even for First Consultation

With online medical consultation, no clinic visit is required even for your first appointment. There is no need to take time off work or school — you can receive care during a lunch break or after returning home.

Even those who find it difficult to visit a clinic during regular business hours can receive care after returning home in the evening, provided they choose an online clinic that offers nighttime hours.

Begin Treatment Without Meeting Anyone in Person

ED is a sensitive concern that can be difficult to discuss in person. With online consultation, you never have to face other patients in a waiting room and can receive care in the reassuring environment of your own home.

Additionally, there are virtually no opportunities to meet staff face-to-face other than the consulting physician, which provides significant reassurance for those who feel reluctant about in-person visits.

Accessible from Anywhere in Japan

Even if there is no specialized ED clinic in your area, you can receive care from anywhere in Japan as long as you have an internet connection. Patients in rural areas can receive the same treatment as those near urban clinics.

There is no need to spend on transportation or travel time for clinic visits, making it a low-burden treatment option even for those with busy schedules.

Medication Delivered to Your Home

Prescribed ED medications are delivered to your home as fast as the next day. Many clinics offer discreet packaging where the contents cannot be identified, and can ship under an individual’s name rather than the clinic’s name.

Whether you live with family or wish to receive delivery at your workplace, systems are in place to protect your privacy.

The Online Consultation Process

Online consultation can be completed in 5 steps, from examination to receiving your medication.

Types of ED Medications Prescribed

The main ED medications prescribed through online consultation are Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis — three drugs in total. Because each has different characteristics, it is important to consult with a physician and choose the one best suited to you.

ED medications work by supporting the body’s response to sexual stimulation. Taking the medication alone does not produce an erection; the effect is only manifested in the presence of sexual stimulation.

Viagra (Sildenafil)

Known as the world’s first ED medication, Viagra has the longest history and most extensive track record. Effects appear 30 minutes to 1 hour after administration and last approximately 4–5 hours. Generic versions are also available, allowing patients to take the medication at a lower cost.

For details, please see Viagra: Effects and Side Effects.

Levitra (Vardenafil)

Levitra is characterized by rapid onset and is less susceptible to the effects of food. The effect appears 15–30 minutes after administration. In Japan, sales of the brand-name product have currently been discontinued, and only generic versions are available.

For details, please see Levitra: Effects and Side Effects.

Cialis (Tadalafil)

Cialis is characterized by its long duration of action — up to 36 hours. Because a single tablet can cover an entire weekend, it is also called the “weekend pill.” It is popular for being easy to use, with minimal food interaction.

For details, please see Cialis: Side Effects, Benefits, and How to Take It.

Side Effects and Precautions for ED Medications

Possible side effects of ED medications include facial flushing, headache, nasal congestion, palpitations, and conjunctival redness (red eyes). However, most patients are able to take the medication without any issues.

For safety reasons, ED medications may not be prescribed for patients in any of the following categories.

• Patients currently taking nitroglycerin (a treatment for angina pectoris)
• Patients with heart disease or arrhythmia
• Patients who have had a stroke or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• Patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment
• Patients with extremely high or low blood pressure

If you have an underlying medical condition or are taking any medications, be sure to consult your physician. For more information, please also see People Who Should Not Take Viagra.

The Dangers of Personal Import Websites

There are overseas websites (personal import agent sites) that advertise “no prescription needed” and “extremely cheap,” but we do not recommend using these services.

According to a joint investigation conducted in 2016 by four pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer, Bayer Yakuhin, Nippon Shinyaku, and Eli Lilly Japan), approximately 40% of ED medications purchased from personal import websites were counterfeit.

Counterfeit drugs carry a risk of serious adverse health effects, so it is essential to receive a medical examination from a physician and obtain genuine prescription medication. For more information, please also see Are Online Sales of ED Medications Dangerous? Counterfeit Risk Explained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Online ED Treatment

Below are some of the questions we most often receive from patients about online ED treatment.

Q1. Can I receive online consultation as a first-time patient?

A. Yes, ED treatment is available via online consultation from your very first visit. Following the regulatory relaxation in April 2020, it became possible to receive online consultations even at clinics you have never visited before, without ever needing to go in person.

Q2. Do I need a health insurance card for ED treatment?

A. Because ED treatment is out-of-pocket care that is not covered by public insurance, presentation of a health insurance card is not required. As a result, no billing notices will be sent to your home or workplace, and there is virtually no risk of your family finding out.

Q3. How quickly will the ED medication arrive?

A. After payment is completed, the medication arrives at your home as fast as the next day, or within 2 business days. Some clinics also offer same-day shipping.

Q4. Will my family find out?

A. Online consultation clinics are bound by patient confidentiality obligations, so in principle no one other than the patient themselves can review prescription details. Additionally, because this is out-of-pocket care, no health insurance card is used and no itemized statements are sent. Medications are also delivered in plain packaging that conceals the contents.

Q5. Which should I choose — Viagra or Cialis?

A. Each medication has different characteristics. Viagra or Levitra are recommended for those who want rapid onset, while Cialis is recommended for those who prioritize a long duration of action. If you are unsure which medication is right for you, please consult your physician.

Summary

Online consultation for ED treatment is an extremely convenient option for those with busy schedules or those who feel reluctant to consult in person. The key takeaways from this article are summarized below.

• No clinic visit required, even for the first consultation to begin ED treatment
• No health insurance card needed, with virtually no risk of family finding out
• The entire process — from booking to prescription — can be completed with a single smartphone
• Medication is delivered to your home as fast as the next day
• Choose the medication best suited to you from Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis, in consultation with a physician
• Because personal import websites carry a high risk of counterfeit products, always receive an examination from a physician and obtain genuine medication through a proper prescription

When used correctly, ED medications are safe and effective. We frequently hear comments such as, “I was suffering alone — I wish I had reached out for a consultation much sooner.”

Men’s Care Clinic offers online consultations specialized for men, available from your very first visit. You can easily book via LINE and receive care from anywhere in Japan. Please feel free to reach out for an initial consultation.