Health & Medical Advice and Information - UK Medical Health

10 years have passed since Viagra was first licensed in the UK for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction but what other uses have been discovered for this treatment that was discovered by accident?

Viagra is the citrate salt of sildenafil and has proven to be an effective treatment for a number of health conditions. It was initially studied for treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Clinical trials revealed that while it had minimal effect on angina, it seemed to enable some men who had been impotent for years, actually achieve strong erections when sexually aroused.

Clearly this “side effect” could be a massive money spinner for Pfizer so further trials were done to demonstrate its safety and efficacy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and it became the first in class (PDE5 inhibitors) to be approved for this purpose. The small but powerful blue tablet offered hope and a workable solution for treatment of erectile difficulties being suffered by millions of men worldwide.

Since its emergence, Viagra has a proven to be an effective treatment for a number of conditions.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of all men over 40 and can afflict younger men as well. Sexual difficulties can range from difficulty achieving erections to maintaining them. ED manifests and is experienced differently by each male: some men simply cannot get an erection; others find that their erection is not firm enough for sexual activity; others achieve an erection but lose it before or during sex.

While stress or fatigue can be factors, ED is a common medical condition and is often related to other health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, or prostate problems; and additional factors come into play, such as spinal injury, smoking, and alcohol use. Whatever the causes, nerves or blood vessels in the penis may not work properly and can prevent an erection from forming on sexual stimulation.

ED does not always improve without intervention but this will depend on the profile of the patient, with younger men more likely to get over some temporary problem and older men finding that this problem is permanent because of other health problems so it is important to seek out appropriate treatment. Oral medication is the most common and doctors will prescribe which ever medication is deemed most appropriate but Viagra is normally what patients ask for because of its high public profile. Viagra comes in tablets equivalent to 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg and should be taken as required but no more than once a day, between 30 minutes and 1 hour prior to sexual activity.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
Viagra has also proved to be effective for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and was approved for this use in 2005 in the US. It relaxes the arterial wall, which leads to decreased pulmonary arterial resistance and pressure, thus reducing the workload of the right ventricle of the heart. When used for treatment of PAH, the drug is named Revatio and is prescribed in 20 mg tablets. These pills are round and white to avoid confusion with Viagra.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition which affects the ability of blood to reach the extremities such as toes and fingertips. Sildenafil can cut the frequency of Raynaud’s phenomenon attacks, reducing their duration by approximately one half. Patients with both the primary and secondary forms switched over from conventional treatments to using sildenafil.

Aphrodisiac Viagra is increasingly thought of as an aphrodisiac, an agent that is used to increase sexual desire. Presently, there is no clinical evidence that it has aphrodisiac potential, but many believe it not only improves sexual performance and erectile functioning but will also actually enhance the sexual experience.

Other Uses Viagra is currently being tested for its uses in helping people overcome jet lag and as an aid to recovery in the immediate aftermath of a stroke. These trials are at an early stage but there is significant evidence that there is a positive effect.

Who can use Viagra?
Viagra has a good safety profile. It can be taken even if a person has high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Those who suffer from prostate problems, diabetes, or who are contending with stress or depression can still take Viagra safely so long as it is approved by a doctor. It can be taken in conjunction with many other medications however a doctor will consider potential problems that could arise so it is important that you disclose to your doctor all medications that you are currently taking. For example, those taking nitroglycerin for chest pain, even only once in a while, should not take Viagra.

Where can I get Viagra?
Many men are turning to the internet to buy Viagra and there are a number of reputable online clinics and pharmacies which are able to help. If you are going to get Viagra from this type of service, please make sure that the website is genuine and is regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency. The Online Clinic is one such site and you can be sure that all the doctors employed there are GMC registered and that the pharmacy is correctly registered so there is no chance that you will be sold counterfeit medication.

1. Viagra is a cure for Impotence
2. Viagra increases sexual desire
3. Viagra is addictive
4. Viagra can cause a heart attack
5. Viagra will make you go blind
6. Viagra causes Priapism
7. Increased doses of Viagra will give better erections
8. Viagra is more effective when mixed with other drugs or medication
9. It’s perfectly safe to buy Viagra on the Internet
10. Cheaper Viagra alternatives are just as safe 

See the full Viagra news article for the answers to these fallacies.
For further advice on using Viagra visit The Online Clinic.

Apparently two struggling oyster farmers in Australia are attempting to create a ‘super aphrodisiac’ by transferring their harvested oysters to tanks spiked with Viagra.

The idea was given to them by a marketing executive after he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer – a common cause of impotence. The idea is that the oysters will become infused with sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra.

However, Pfizer are not happy with the use of their brand name in the registered ‘ViagraOysters’. Let’s just hope they are not too hard on them!