Viagra®
Manufacturer:
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Uses: The first pill approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or "impotence."
More Information
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| Viagra |
ALERT! - on May 27th, U.S. health regulators
said they have received more than 40 reports of a type of blindness in men
taking impotence drugs, mostly involving Pfizer Inc.'s Viagra. Read more on
these developments
here.
In March 1998 the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Viagra,
manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, for the treatment of erectile
dysfunction or "impotence." Viagra is the first pill approved for the treatment
of erectile dysfunction.
Viagra, whose chemical name is sildenafil citrate, does several things to
improve male potency. First, the drug prevents a substance called PDE 5 from
interfering with the process of achieving an erection. In a healthy male with no
potency problems, PDE 5 is sent into the penis after ejaculation, causing the
erection to subside. In men who suffer from erectile dysfunction, PDE 5 may be
too active and the substance may inhibit an erection from the start. Viagra acts
to reduce overaggressive PDE 5.
Viagra also improves blood flow to the penis. In order to achieve an
erection, blood must engorge the penis. In order to coax blood into the penis,
Viagra acts to open up the blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow.
While wildly popular, the drug has not been without its critics. People with
heart problems who are taking nitrates including, but not limited to, Deponit,
Dilatrate-SR, Imdur, Ismo, Isorol, Monoket, Nitro-Bid IV, Nitro-Bid Ointment,
Nitro-Dur, Nitrolingual Spray, Nitrostat, Sorbitrate Chewable, Sorbitrate Oral,
Sorbitrate Sublingual, or Transderm-Nitro should not take Viagra; doing so may
cause heart failure. Nitrates tend to open the blood vessels, and when taken in
combination with Viagra, which also opens the vessels, blood pressure can drop
dangerously low. Additionally, it is important to tell your doctor (especially
in an emergency situation) if you have taken Viagra recently. Often emergency
room physicians will administer nitrates to heart attack victims. Furthermore,
even when not taking nitrates, increased sexual activity in men with poor
cardiovascular conditioning can lead to overexertion and possible cardiac
arrest. Also, people who have low blood pressure (hypotension) may be in danger
from Viagra.
A recent study indicated that people suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF)
could be adversely affected by Viagra. Italian researchers found that men with
heart failure who take Viagra may experience irregular heart rhythms known as
arrhythmias and complications associated with the heart's QT interval.
In addition to heart complications, Viagra may increase the risk of a rare
but serious condition known as Priapism. This condition results in a prolonged
erection, sometimes lasting over six hours. While obviously irritating,
inconvenient, and embarrassing, a prolonged erection can also cause significant
damage to penile tissue.
An April 2004 study published in the journal New Scientist suggests taking
Viagra may reduce men's fertility. According to the report, Viagra speeds up an
important reaction by which digestive enzymes break down the outer shell of a
female's egg, allowing the sperm to enter and fertilize the egg. The reaction
subsequently occurs prematurely.
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Disclaimer: The drug litigation, Viagra side effect,
heart problems, harmful drug injury, prescription error or other personal
injury legal information presented at this site should not be construed to
be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client
relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that
particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact
a Viagra attorney or drug lawyer for a consultation on your particular
personal injury matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for
matters outside the states of Missouri and Kansas. Firm serving Kansas City, Blue Springs, Springfield
and other communities in Missouri and Kansas.
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