Scientists Continue to Test Safety and Long-Term Effects of Viagra

It's not often that a prescription drug actually impacts the culture at large, but it's virtually impossible to overstate the significance of the prescription drug Viagra. Designed to combat male impotence and erectile dysfunction and help enhance male sexual performance, Viagra was introduced by pharmaceutical industry giant Pfizer in 1999.

Within months, Viagra would go on to break all known sales records, pulling in total revenue of over $1 billion in the period from 1999-2001. With the help of the drug, vast swaths of the male population that had previously been barred from intimacy due to age or health problems were reintroduced to physical intimacy. This trend had a number of unforeseen consequences, including a resurgence of sexually transmitted diseases among elderly populations that public health officials are still grappling with.

Despite its widespread usage, some concerns still linger about the safety of Viagra. Because many of the drug?s users are already facing other health challenges, some scientists have cautioned that the long-term effects of the drug should be scrutinized more closely. This week, we?ll survey the results of several recent studies that have taken a second look at Viagra and its possible side effects.

Viagra May Suppress Male Fertility, Study Shows

Millions of men have credited Viagra with reinvigorating their sex lives. But according to the results of a recent study, this renewed intimacy may come at a steep price.

A team of researchers working at Queen?s University in Belfast has found preliminary indications that ongoing Viagra use may impede male fertility. In a study designed to assess the impact of Viagra on sperm motility and behavior, it was found that sperm that have come in contact with the drug behave in unexpected ways.

In general, Viagra-treated sperm were found to be more active and mobile than sperm that have not been exposed to the drug. However, this increased mobility does not appear to have an equal impact in the sperm?s ability to fertilize eggs.

In addition, it was found that sperm exposed to Viagra over a period of time exhibited a number of characteristics signs of damage. In particular, these sperm tended to have signs of damage in the acrosome area, which is a unique structure that produces enzymes that help sperm penetrate eggs.

In a simultaneous study, it was found that mice that had been treated with Viagra produced, on average, 40% fewer viable embryos than did their counterparts that had not received the drug. Although all of these results were described as preliminary and unconfirmed, the researchers urged further investigation into the effects of Viagra upon male fertility.

British Study Confirms General Safety of Viagra Use

Some critics of Viagra have argued that the drug?s sudden popularity surge outpaced the pharmaceutical industry?s ability to thoroughly vet its safety. To counter these concerns, researchers all over the world have recently begun to focus their efforts on second-line studies testing the safety and effectiveness of the well-known treatment for male erectile dysfunction.

In one such study, scientists at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, England sought to assess the overall safety and efficacy of sildenafil, which is the basic compound used in Viagra. The study tested the drug and measured its impact in a population of 147 men with previously confirmed cases of erectile dysfunction.

According to the results, 91% of the men in the study reported that the treatment satisfactorily addressed their erectile dysfunction, and 80% expressed a desire to continue the drug after the conclusion of the study. No major side effects were observed, but common complaints of symptoms such as headaches, flushing, and vision abnormalities. However, the researchers concluded that the drug was safe for the general population.

Major Study of Viagra?s Safety Yields Few Problems

Researchers at the Changi General Hospital in Singapore recently undertook a major meta-analysis of the safety and side effects of long-term Viagra usage. According to the study, the most significant risk associated with the drug is in patients with preexisting cardiac problems.

The researchers found that the undesirable side effects associated with Viagra usage were largely related to the drug?s unique action on the vascular system, and were not dangerous in the majority of cases. The researchers concluded that if properly prescribed and monitored, Viagra was safe for most otherwise healthy patients.

If you or your partner are looking for help with male erectile dysfunction or other sexual performance issues, talk to your doctor for a full assessment of your options. Please check back each week for more breaking health science news!

Scientists Study Viagra's Bonus Benefits

Since its introduction to the pharmaceutical market in 1998, Viagra has become one of the greatest prescription drug success stories of all time. Within a decade of its release, sales of the drug had topped the $1 billion mark, breaking many records that were long held by medications for more life-threatening illnesses.

Viagra was the first drug that was approved for prescription use as a treatment for male erectile dysfunction. The drug works by initiating relaxation and dilation in key areas of the male sexual organs. This, in turn, increases the free movement of blood toward the genitals, allowing for an erection.

Experts credit the popularity of Viagra with bringing the problem of male erectile dysfunction to the forefront. Before advertisements for Viagra became a staple of the mainstream print and broadcast media, erectile dysfunction was rarely discussed in public, in spite of the fact that as many as one in ten men experience some level of impotence throughout their lives. After the advent of Viagra, reports indicate that millions of men began discussing this once-shameful secret and seeking medical advice for the problem.

It's well known that Viagra is effective for helping men overcome sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction. However, in recent years, researchers have been studying "off-label" uses for the drug, as well.

Because of its proven ability to improve circulation and blood flow, some of the main areas of interest for off-label use of Viagra have been cardiovascular and circulatory problems. This week, we'll look at the results of three recent studies that have explored non-sexual applications for the drug.

Viagra May be a Lifesaver for Patients with Heart Problems

Viagra's already known for reviving love lives that have been marred by male erectile dysfunction, but according to researchers at the University of Alberta, it may be a literal lifesaver for patients with a unique type of heart failure.

Because of the drug's unique ability to boost blood flow and circulation in targeted areas, the scientists have posited that it may be effective in helping patients with a failure of the right ventricle of the heart. This rare condition can be fatal, and at the current time, there is no known treatment for the disorder.

The same team of researchers was responsible for uncovering Viagra' s effectiveness as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension. Now, they are focusing their efforts on uncovering a new formulation of the drug that can bolster the performance of the right ventricle of the heart. Although much more experimentation will be necessary before a commercial version of the final product is likely to be released, the researchers report that they already have several promising leads.

Viagra Could Help Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis

Millions of people around the world suffer from pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable that is characterized by scarring and hardening of the lung tissue. Although lung transplants can help some patients who are suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, there is no known treatment that can slow the course of the disease or treat its painful symptoms.

According to a study conducted by researchers at UCLA, however, Viagra's unique ability to relax smooth tissue and improve circulation could mean that the drug is an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. The findings indicate that patients taking Viagra had improved long capacity and were able to engage in active exertion for up to 20% longer than the control group. More testing is needed, but the researchers are encouraged by the preliminary findings.

Researchers Uncover Many Heretofore Unknown Applications for Viagra

A recent literature review conducted by scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified a number of possible uses for the drug Viagra -- none of which have anything to do with erectile dysfunction. It was found that the most popular non-sexual use for the drug is the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, which is a concentration of high blog pressure in the lung's vascular system. In fact, Viagra is now marketed under the name Revatio for this purpose.

Viagra has also been found to help overcome the altitude sickness that can occur in high-elevation locales by relieving pressure on the pulmonary arteries. This application may be especially beneficial for athletes or outdoor enthusiasts who regularly exercise at high altitudes.

In addition, several major studies are now being conducted to determine whether Viagra may be a helpful treatment for patients with heart disease, heart failure, or diastolic dysfunction.

If you think that you or a loved one may be able to benefit from Viagra, talk to your doctor for a personalized assessment of the risks and benefits. Check back here each week for more of the health science news you need!