Viagra, the iconic blue pill, was first approved for use in the United States in 1997 and since then, it has become one of the most popular and well-known drugstore treatments for erectile dysfunction, or ED. The drug has been so successful that its patent is now approaching expiration, and competing manufacturers are working hard to produce copies or similar drugs.
But, what is Viagra actually supposed to do? Why does the FDA even approve it, and what is it used for? There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding this little blue pill, and we at College Candy decided to dive into the science of Viagra and try to find out the real purpose of this drug.
It’s Backward Compatibility
One of the most interesting things about Viagra is that it is a compound of sildenafil, which was previously used to treat a different disease. In the 1960s, sildenafil was known as vilitaxim, and it was used to treat pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure in the lungs. The drug was initially approved in North America in 2007 and in Europe in 1996, and before its approval, it was tested on hundreds of patients with heart disease and found to be effective in lowering blood pressure. But, during its testing, it was discovered that vilitaxim could actually improve the quality of patients’ erections compared to before they were treated with the drug. This is probably thanks to the drug’s vasodilatory properties (the ability to widen or dilate blood vessels). Once vilitaxim was approved for use in humans, doctors started prescribing it for patients with ED. The discovery that vilitaxim could be used for both cardiovascular disease and ED gave the little blue pill a unique place in medicine.
It’s Medicine for Those Who Cannot Take Other Drugs
Unfortunately, not all patients are able to benefit from vilitaxim, or other pills like it. Some people are allergic to sulfites, which are found in foods like grapes and wines, or they have severe kidney problems, and as a result, the drug cannot be prescribed to them. Moreover, men who have already been exposed to ED drugs like Viagra have shown to be less likely to respond to vilitaxim treatment. This means that those who have already been through treatment for ED are more likely to experience adverse effects or have poor response to vilitaxim. The problem with these scenarios is that they exclude a lot of men who could really benefit from vilitaxim. If the drug cannot be used for a certain patient population, then it cannot be approved in the first place. This is why there is a push to find alternatives for patients who are either allergic to sulfites or have severe kidney problems and cannot take other medication for ED.
It Has A High Rate of Success
When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vilitaxim for use in North America in 2007, it was noted that the drug had a high success rate in treating male patients with ED. In most cases, vilitaxim helps to improve the patient’s ability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. It is important to note that not all sexual activities are able to be performed by men with ED. Some may be able to have anal or vaginal intercourse, but many cannot, and that is why the drug was approved for use in this situation. Moreover, studies have shown that approximately 75% of men who are given vilitaxim will show some improvement in their condition, and that is a very high success rate compared to other ED drugs.
It Has A Longer Half-Life
Not only does vilitaxim have a high rate of success, but it also has the unusual ability to stay in the body for a longer period of time. This is possibly because it has a higher affinity for the active metabolite of cytochrome P450 (CYP450). CYP450 is an enzyme located in the liver, which helps to metabolize or break down drugs. It has been shown that the half-life of vilitaxim is approximately 12-14 hours, which is a lot longer than the 1-2 hours that most other ED drugs such as Viagra have. This could mean that vilitaxim is not cleared as quickly from the body, and as a result, more of it stays in the bloodstream for longer periods of time. Some have argued that this prolonged half-life helps to explain why men with ED who are given vilitaxim have reported better overall moods and less daytime sleepiness compared to before they were given the drug.
It Relieves Dysfunction Without Destroying Or Damaging The Sperm Count
Another interesting thing about Viagra is that it does not appear to harm the human sperm count, which is different from most other ED drugs. This is likely because the erectile dysfunction that the drug is intended to treat does not appear to be caused by low sperm counts. Rather, it may be due to some other type of dysfunction. It has been estimated that approximately 40-50 million American men suffer from some form of ED, which makes it a potentially huge market. The drug has been approved for use in the U.S., but it is not available for purchase there; it can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. ED is a huge problem in the U.S., and many men are not comfortable talking about it, but it is definitely something that needs to be addressed. If vilitaxim is able to improve the quality of men’s erections while not harming their fertility, then it could be a viable option for millions of men who suffer from ED. It is also important to note that the way that vilitaxim is prepared and administered could also help to preserve the patients’ sperm. Sildenafil citrate is generally available in tablet or capsule form, and it is commonly given orally, but in recent years, it has also been shown to be effective when administered via intracavernosal injection or as a patch on the scalp. The injection routes have been tested in men with penile cancer, and it has been shown that the drug is able to improve the patients’ erections and help to prevent ED in the case of premature ejaculation. Injection into the penis is also effective in treating chronic prostatitis and has been shown to be more effective than oral administration in some cases. Oral administration of sildenafil has also been shown to be more effective in treating females with viagra sildenafil. The drug may also work better in larger doses, which would mean that fewer doses might be required per day to maintain the same therapeutic effect. So, in summary, the way that vilitaxim is administered and the length of its half-life might all play a role in protecting the sperm count, and as a result, make it a more viable treatment option for men with ED.
It Has A Broad Spectrum Of Benefits
It is important to keep in mind that not all men who are given vilitaxim will experience the same benefits. In many cases, the drug can improve the patient’s overall quality of life, boost their self-esteem, and help them to feel more comfortable in their bodies. In addition, some men have reported that the drug has also helped them to regulate their blood sugar levels and lower their cholesterol, so it may have additional benefits in those whom it helps. These are all good reasons why the FDA should continue to approve vilitaxim for use in the treatment of ED, especially since so many men who are given the drug have positive experiences and say that it has helped them to improve their quality of life. Even though it has been known to exist for over 60 years, vilitaxim is still one of the most interesting and unique drugs in medical history, and hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to say that we know what it is and why it is important.
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