Sildenafil Citrate, commonly known as Viagra, is a pill that was initially designed to treat erectile dysfunction and now has many additional uses thanks to its effects on other systems. Sildenafil is a drug that acts as a type of vasodilator, allowing more blood to flow through the penis and resulting in an erection. It was first marketed in the United States in the early 1990s and has since become extremely popular worldwide. A 2012 global market research firm, Future Inc. Global Research, estimates that the market value for generic sildenafil in 2012 was over $16 billion.
How Does It Work?
Viagra is a pharmacological substance that was first isolated and synthesized in the laboratory in 1960. It was originally designed as a compound to prevent blood clots and relieve angina (chest pain). While it was originally developed to treat cardiovascular disease, Viagra also has the unique ability to improve erectile function and now has additional applications for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor that was first marketed as a prescription drug in 1996. PDE5 is an enzyme that is located within the walls of the penis and serves to break down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a chemical that plays a critical role in relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the body. When cGMP is broken down by PDE5, it leads to smooth muscle relaxation and increased blood flow into the penis, resulting in an erection. By preventing the breakdown of cGMP in the corpus cavernosa, Sildenafil produces a similar, if not identical, pharmacological effect as an erection.
Potential Risks & Side Effects
Although Viagra has many benefits and is generally safe when used as directed, it does have some side effects that users must be aware of. The most common side effect is headache, which some individuals experience particularly at first, with higher doses, and/or after longer periods of time. Severe headache and migraine are also possible side effects, particularly in patients who already have a history of neurological disorders. Sildenafil may also cause photophobia (sensitivity to light), allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching), and liver toxicity. In some populations, such as the elderly, the very young, and those with a history of liver disease, Viagra may be less suitable because of its potential to cause liver damage. It is also important to follow labeling instructions carefully and not to take more than one dose per day, as overdose may lead to significant toxic effects.
Benefits
Despite the risks, the possible side effects, and the not-so-desirable qualities of a drug such as Viagra, the popularity of the medication worldwide is undeniable. The following are some of the additional uses of Viagra that patients and physicians may find helpful.
Erectile Dysfunction
One of the reasons why Viagra has become such a popular drug is because it has transformed the lives of men who struggle with erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction, or ED, is the inability to maintain an erection that is sufficiently hard for sexual intercourse. While there are many possible causes of ED, a significant factor is the inability of the blood vessels in the penis to relax sufficiently to allow flow into the corpora cavernosa. Sildenafil, by preventing the breakdown of cGMP in the corpus cavernosa, allows blood to more easily enter the penis and results in an erection, regardless of the cause of the erection.
Although there are many treatment options for ED, including psychological counseling and medication, many men with ED find that Viagra provides the greatest effectiveness. The effects of Sildenafil begin to appear within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the drug and last for four to six hours. The vast majority of patients report experiencing some improvement in their erectile function within a few weeks of adopting an oral erection regime, such as that found with Viagra. In some instances, patients have reported improvements in erectile function that are almost instantaneous.
Because many men with ED also have associated cardiovascular disease or take other medications that may cause ED, it is often a case of treating the disorder and preventing further complications. However, even men without ED can benefit from taking Viagra occasionally and may experience improvements in their sexual function. In these men, occasional use of Viagra may improve their overall sense of well-being and help to better understand why Viagra has become so popular.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Another significant use of Viagra is to treat the common urinary tract condition benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized organ located at the base of the bladder. Due to BPH, urination can become difficult and sometimes painful. The condition is also associated with a high risk of urinary tract infection. BPH can also lead to an overflow of urine, which is why many people with the condition find it necessary to wear pads or diapers to sleep at night. As a result of the increased bladder pressure caused by BPH, men with the condition are more likely to experience incontinence and have a greater risk of getting an infection than women.
There are many medical remedies for BPH, including surgery and prescription medications. However, patients often prefer to try natural products first and may turn to herbal and non-pharmaceutical remedies because of their safety profile and low toxicity. In these cases, Viagra can help by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in the bladder neck and prostate, allowing enlarged tissues to drain more easily and relieving some of the pressure that is causing discomfort.
If you or someone you know is suffering from ED, BPH, or another condition that is alleviated by the use of Viagra, then please feel free to share this information with them.
Other Uses
The uses of Sildenafil Citrate for other than erectile dysfunction are numerous, and researchers are exploring additional applications for the compound all the time. PDE5 inhibitors such as Sildenafil have been shown to increase sperm motility and potentially have benefits for patients with male infertility. Additionally, studies have shown that PDE5 inhibitors can help prevent memory loss in older adults and may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Another significant use of Sildenafil is to help treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH. PAH is a form of pulmonary hypertension that results from high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, causing them to stiffen and restrict the flow of blood to the lungs. Because of this, the risk of PAH increases with increasing age. While there are many different kinds of PAH, all result in serious health complications for the patients, and often, their families. One of the leading causes of PAH is sickle cell disease, which causes the red blood cells to become abnormally shaped and results in the restriction of blood flow in the lungs. When patients with sickle cell disease take Sildenafil, along with their other medications, their progression of PAH is often slowed and they experience improvements in their overall health and well-being. In other cases, patients with sickle cell disease and PAH have been shown to experience beneficial clinical effects from taking Sildenafil alone.
Another disease that researchers are investigating the potential benefits of Sildenafil for is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. ALS is a rare neurodegenerative disease that causes the degeneration of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and eventual death by respiratory failure. While there is no cure for ALS, there are treatments that can help with the progression of the disease and ease the burden of those who suffer from it. One of these treatments is an oral medication regimen called Rilutek, which contains Sildenafil. Preliminary studies have shown that Rilutek can improve the quality of life of patients with ALS and have resulted in increased survival rates in those who have been treated with the compound. Because Sildenafil helps to reduce pulmonary hypertension, which is often a cause of or contributor to the development of ALS, it is thought that the medication reduces the stress on the lungs and subsequently the risk of developing the disease. Furthermore, Sildenafil has been shown to protect the brain cells that are important in the formation of new memories and learning.
There are many other diseases, surgical procedures, and health conditions that researchers are exploring for possible treatments with Sildenafil. If you or someone you know is interested in trying out a new medication regimen or has questions about the disease they are suffering from, then please feel free to consult with a physician or health care provider about the benefits that Sildenafil may have for your situation.