The name 'sildenafil citrate' probably doesn't say much to anybody, but its commercial name, Viagra, sounds like the most famous anti-impotence drug for men. But Viagra is also sold as a drug against pulmonary hypertension.
Besides Viagra, there are also other two more recent ED (erectile dysfunction) drugs currently on the market: Levitra (containing the chemical vardenafil), and Cialis (based on tadalafil). They all have the same operational mechanism and the same
side effects.
The most common side effects are headaches and facial flushing, which take place in 15% of the subjects, but also nasal congestion, sneezing, indigestion, back pain, prolonged erections, palpitations and photophobia. These are benign and temporary.
But the most worrying effect of the anti-impotence drugs is the widening of the arteries, translated to low blood pressure, priapism, heart attack, ventricular arrhythmias, stroke and increased intraocular pressure (which induces glaucoma and, in time, even blindness).
People taking organic nitrites or nitrates should never use ED pills. Viagra is also forbidden for men with cardiovascular risk factors, severe hepatic impairment (decreased liver function), severe impairment in renal function, hypotension (low blood pressure), recent stroke or heart attack and hereditary degenerative retinal disorders. Viagra is not recommended to those people who take anti-HIV medication.
Despite these side effects, researchers are investigating whether ED pills might help treat an array of nonsexual issues or not. Viagra - being the oldest known amongst these chemicals (marketed since 1996) - is also the most studied. Some extra-sexual situations in which Viagra could help are:
￭ Pulmonary hypertension: under the name Revatio, sildenafil is used against this severe condition of high pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs.
￭ Mountain sickness: Viagra can decrease blood pressure at high altitude, increasing the blood's ability to absorb oxygen.
￭ Raynaud's phenomenon: in this condition, exposure to the cold determines spasm of the small arteries that transport blood to the fingers and toes, which turn pale, cold, and painful. Levitra too appeared effective in clinical trials.
￭ Heart disease: Viagra could be employed in case of congestive heart failure or diastolic dysfunction.
￭ More: a low-concentration solution of sildenafil in water significantly prolongs the time before cut flowers wilt: from one week to two weeks.
And do not forget: Viagra is not an aphrodisiac, it does not increase sexual desire, it just enhances an erection!...
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