You might know that former Senator Bob Dole is an advocate of Viagra, the popular drug that treats erectile dysfunction. But did you know that he’s been pushing this drug for years, even before it was wildly successful?
Dole’s been a shining light for the pharmaceutical industry, earning over $200,000 per year in consultancies, speaking fees, and royalty checks for the past few years. A lot of that money has been put into fund-raising efforts for charitable organizations. It’s quite the lucrative industry, especially since Viagra was originally approved in the ‘90s.
But what is Viagra? Is it as good as its reputation? Is it safe? Can it really help men who take it regularly? Let’s dive in…
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is short for “vacuum-packed isosorbide mononitrate,” and it’s a drug that was manufactured and sold by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. It was originally approved by the FDA in the early ‘90s to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. The medicine is sildenafil citrate, which is a drug that inhibits PDE5 (phosphodiesterase type 5), an enzyme that breaks down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). When PDE5 is inhibited, the effect of nitric oxide is increased, which in turn leads to vasodilation (the dilation of blood vessels) and increased blood flow into the penis.
PDE5 inhibitors are a class of medication commonly used to treat ED, though they’re also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chronic heart failure, and pulmonary hypertension. If you’ve ever taken a pill to help you quit smoking, you may have taken a PDE5 inhibitor.
Viagra has been around for nearly two decades, and it is one of the biggest-selling drugs of all time, with over 100 million prescriptions written yearly.
Why Is Bob Dole So Into Viagra?
Dole has been a tireless promoter of the drug since the ‘90s, when ED was a common problem among aging men. Viagra is the only ED treatment that Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, ever used, and they both credit the drug with helping them stay sexually active well into their 90s. They even had a “Viagra party” in 2018 to celebrate this fact. (Fun fact: Elizabeth is a registered nurse and was one of the first people to prescribe Viagra to a patient.)
In 2015, Dole was asked by a reporter from The New York Times if he had any advice for men struggling with ED. He responded saying, “If you’re ever going to try it, do it now. Don’t wait until you’re 45. If you can’t perform, it can be very frustrating.”
Since then, he’s been a regular fixture at drug stores and online retailers, appearing in television commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs, including Viagra. He even spoke at the AARP’s 2018 Fall Conference about the benefits of ED medication, saying, “I’m always asked about Viagra. I just say, ‘Take it, you’ll like it.’” (via AARP)
How Does Viagra Work?
Scientists are still finding ways to describe how Viagra works, but it’s thought to primarily work by relaxing and expanding blood vessels in the penis, leading to increased blood flow and an erection that can lead to sexual performance and satisfaction. (There are actually more than 200 chemicals in Viagra, which work in combination for this effect. So it’s a little more complicated than just “it works by increasing blood flow.”)
Though the exact mechanism is still unknown, many experts believe that the drug improves the bodies’ natural ability to produce cGMP. (This is due to Viagra increasing levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which produces nitric oxide, an important chemical in the body that increases the levels of cGMP. So it’s an “endothelial nitric oxide synthase / cyclic guanosine monophosphate” hybrid theory.) Some scientists even believe that men whose brains have been damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may find that Viagra alleviates some of their symptoms, particularly among those who take the drug regularly.
What Are The Main Side Effects Of Viagra?
As mentioned earlier, Viagra has been around for nearly two decades and is one of the biggest-selling medications of all time. So it’s only natural that it would have developed a following of patients who need to take it regularly for erectile dysfunction. But like any other drug, there are some side effects associated with it.
For instance, men who take Viagra regularly may experience a drop in blood pressure, especially those who are also taking other medications for high blood pressure. Some patients have even developed resistance to the effects of Viagra after long-term use, which is why Pfizer created a new drug, vedaxane, with fewer side effects specifically for those who develop this condition. (Though it’s still not totally safe. One of the main side effects of vedaxane is an irregular heartbeat, so it’s still a heart medication at its core.)
On the other hand, some men experience dizziness, headaches, and flushing as a result of taking Viagra. Those who experience allergic reactions to the drug may have rashes and hives, as well as trouble breathing. (Though in very rare cases, some people have experienced anaphylaxis as a result of taking Viagra.)
In general, though, the side effects of Viagra are relatively minor and infrequent. (For more information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.)
Is It Effective For Everyone?
One of the most common questions people ask about Viagra is if it’s effective for everyone. It’s important to note here that while the medicine may help most men with erectile dysfunction, it may not work for everyone. (On the other hand, it may work for a lot of people. So the answer is sort of.)
Dole credits the drug with helping him stay sexually active well into his 90s, which is more than enough proof for most people that it is effective. But he also admits that not every man will be able to benefit from the pill.
“I think it’s safe to say that not every man can benefit from Viagra,” Dole told The New York Times in 2015. “But in my case, it worked like a charm. It really did.”
While most individuals with erectile dysfunction will benefit from taking Viagra, it’s not a guarantee. And that’s something that doctors and pharmaceutical companies want men to understand. Like any other drug, there are certain risks associated with it.
For example, if you have cardiovascular disease or take blood thinners, you may need to consult your doctor before taking Viagra. In addition, if you have diabetes, you may need to adjust your diet or take additional medications to control your blood sugar level. (Though the risk of heart attack or stroke is relatively low among those who take the drug, it is still there.)
In general, though, the side effects of Viagra are relatively minor and infrequent. (For more information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.)
Is It Safe To Take Viagra While Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?
Another common question that people ask about Viagra is if it’s safe to take while pregnant or breast-feeding. It’s important to note here that while the medicine may be safe to take in these situations, it is still not recommended by doctors or the FDA. (Though there is some evidence that sildenafil may be safe for pregnant women, more research is needed.)
Dole has been a champion for the drug for decades, and he even credits it with helping him stay sexually active well into his 90s. But even he admits that not every man will be able to benefit from the pill. (Though many, many men have.)
“I think it’s safe to say that not every man can benefit from Viagra,” Dole said in 2015. “But in my case, it worked like a charm. It really did.”
While most individuals with erectile dysfunction will benefit from taking Viagra, it’s not a guarantee. And that’s something that doctors and pharmaceutical companies want men to understand. Like any other drug, there are certain risks associated with it.