Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, is a drug that acts as a competitive inhibitor of PDE5, an enzyme that degrades cGMP, causing increased blood flow to the genitals and tumescence (hardness). Sildenafil is widely used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and some cases of pulmonary hypertension. The drug has a half-life of only a few hours, which means it needs to be taken frequently or immediately prior to sexual activity.
Viagra was first approved for marketing in February 1998 and was subsequently prescribed to more than 12 million men worldwide as of May 2016.
Shortcomings Of Sildenafil
While Sildenafil is a highly effective drug in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and some cases of pulmonary hypertension, it has some flaws. One major drawback is that it is a relatively short-acting drug. This means that for maximum effectiveness, it needs to be taken frequently or immediately prior to sexual activity. In addition, Sildenafil is known to cause some side effects, including headaches, flushing, and upset stomach. The drug can also cause blue coloration of the skin and vision problems. Some patients taking Sildenafil have also reported liver problems and in rare cases, a serious allergic reaction. Due to its short half-life, it’s highly vulnerable to being contaminated by environmental toxins during its production process, which could cause even more harm than anticipated.
Key Facts About Viagra
Here are some key facts about Viagra (sildenafil):
- generic form of Viagra
- trade name
- first approved for marketing
- approved for marketing in USA
- Pfizer acquired a U.S. drug patent for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in October 2004
- active ingredient is sildenafil
- most prescribed medication for erectile dysfunction
- most prescribed medication for pulmonary hypertension
- prodrug (meaning “pre-drug”)
- CAS number
- meets U.S. FDA standards for safety and effectiveness
- most prescribed medication worldwide
Sildenafil is a prodrug and is therefore inactive until metabolized. Once metabolized, the compound is transformed into its active form, which is subsequently available for interaction with cGMP. The drug’s main use is to increase the blood flow to the penis, which results in an erection that can be satisfactory for sexual activity. An erection is a result of blood flowing into the penis and is maintained by constant blood flow throughout the entire process. In this way, the compound allows for easier and more frequent sexual activity. By increasing blood flow to the genitals, Sildenafil promotes sexual desire and performance.
Sildenafil has been shown in clinical trials to be highly effective in treating erectile dysfunction and some cases of pulmonary hypertension. The drug is a PDE5 inhibitor and belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. This group of drugs was originally developed to treat pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction. Some of the drugs in this class are alprostadil, sildenafil, and vardenafil. However, not all inhibitors of PDE5 are created equal, and while most are highly effective, they do have side effects. Sildenafil is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and some cases of pulmonary hypertension. In fact, it is the gold standard for both treatments.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by increasing the blood flow to the penis, which results in an erection that can be satisfactory for sexual activity. An erection is a result of blood flowing into the penis and is maintained by constant blood flow throughout the entire process. In this way, the compound allows for easier and more frequent sexual activity. By increasing blood flow to the genitals, Sildenafil promotes sexual desire and performance.
Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor and belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. This group of drugs was originally developed to treat pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction. Some of the drugs in this class are alprostadil, sildenafil, and vardenafil. However, not all inhibitors of PDE5 are created equal, and while most are highly effective, they do have side effects. Sildenafil is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for erectile dysfunction and some cases of pulmonary hypertension. In fact, it is the gold standard for both treatments.
The erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension markets are quite large and as a result, Pfizer’s initial offering of Sildenafil was quite successful. Since its initial approval in 1998, Viagra (sildenafil) has been prescribed to some 12 million men worldwide as of May 2016. Although the drug does have shortcomings, it is still considered to be a safe and effective alternative to men with erectile dysfunction looking for a drug that has less side effects or those with pulmonary hypertension seeking treatment for their condition.
Market Share & Growth Of Viagra (sildenafil)
Since its initial approval in 1998, Viagra (sildenafil) has seen a considerable amount of market share and is currently among the top 30 prescription drugs globally. The drug was first approved in the U.S. in February 1998 and was subsequently prescribed to more than 12 million men worldwide as of May 2016. In 2016, global revenues from Viagra (sildenafil) were estimated to be over $20 billion and this number is expected to reach $26.9 billion by next year.
According to estimates from IMS Health (a healthcare information company), Viagra (sildenafil) is currently among the top 30 prescription drugs globally. The drug was first approved in the U.S. in February 1998 and was subsequently prescribed to more than 12 million men worldwide as of May 2016. In 2016, global revenues from Viagra (sildenafil) were estimated to be over $20 billion and this number is expected to reach $26.9 billion by next year (based on IMS Health).
What Is The Next Big Thing In Healthcare?
I have my own theories about the future of healthcare, and while some are more optimistic than others, I believe that electronic health records (EHRs) paired with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and blockchain technology will change the way we practice medicine as we know it. With EHRs and AI, doctors will have access to the most up-to-date patient information at all times and from anywhere in the world. As a result, treating patients becomes a whole lot more efficient, and the overhead costs for doctors and hospitals go down. In other words, with the right tools, healthcare as we know it will become more affordable.
With respect to blockchain technology and healthcare, I believe that this technology will create more efficient transaction protocols that will encourage healthcare providers to share patient data and information in a secure and transparent manner.
Many companies have started to emerge as credible solutions providers in the healthcare market, taking a more collaborative approach to healthcare. For example, the Turing Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, U.S. has developed an app that allows doctors to remotely monitor and interact with patients. With this app, called MIST (Medical Information System for Transactional Workflows), doctors can enter patient data, such as lab results and examination findings, which are then sent to the patient’s chart on the hospital’s internal network. Once there, the data is available for the patient’s own doctor to review and access.
In an interview with Puget Sound Business Journal, Dr. Steven Hadeed, chairman, president, and CEO of the Turing Medical Center, discussed how this app enhances healthcare and the potential impact that blockchain technology will have on healthcare.
The Bottom Line
Viagra (sildenafil) is a safe and effective alternative to men with erectile dysfunction looking for a drug that has less side effects or those with pulmonary hypertension seeking treatment for their condition. Since its initial approval in 1998, the drug has been prescribed to some 12 million men worldwide as of May 2016. Although the drug does have shortcomings, it is still considered to be a safe and effective alternative to men with erectile dysfunction looking for a drug that has less side effects or those with pulmonary hypertension seeking treatment for their condition.