You’re reading an article about drugstore beauty products and you come across a product that claims to be the “world’s #1 male enhancement pill.”
You’re not sure if you should believe it or not, so you do a little bit of research on the product, only to find out that it’s not actually a medication, but a sex toy. You probably wouldn’t buy it, because you’re not sure how safe it is to use. But that’s not quite all there is to know about Viagra.
Here’s a brief overview of Viagra and why you shouldn’t just automatically think it’s a scam when you see a product that claims to be the “World’s #1 Viagra Alternative.”
What Is Viagra?
Viagra is shorthand for the chemical compound Sildenafil. It’s a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. When you hear the words “Sildenafil,” “PDE5,” and “inhibitor” bandied about, you know that you’re looking at Viagra.
Here’s a short history of Viagra. During the 1920s and 1930s, Viagra’s active pharmaceutical ingredient, Sildenafil, was developed to treat respiratory ailments. In the 1960s and ’70s, it was used to treat erectile dysfunction. Today, it’s more commonly known for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, especially in cases where medicines such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis aren’t working for a patient.
How Is It Different From Other Drugs For Erectile Dysfunction?
There are four primary categories of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction:1) Oral Drugs – These are typically the first line of defense when it comes to ED treatment. They’re often called “non-injectable” medications because they can be taken orally and show some effectiveness. Examples include Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. Unfortunately, oral pills can have some significant side effects, including low sex drive, stomach pain, and upset stomach. Plus, they aren’t necessarily effective for all patients. Oral medications are sometimes a first-step treatment for ED, but they’re not always the best option, especially if you want a quick and easy solution.2) Injectable Drugs – Some men opt for injections as a means of treating ED. The two most popular types of injections used to treat ED are Vacuum-Injector Therapy (VIT) and Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). VIT uses a non-invasive vacuum device to administer a drug into the urethra, which travels to the penis and is then absorbed.
The advantage of injections is that they’re relatively easy to administer and often times, they provide a faster solution than oral medications. The disadvantage is that they’re not always a viable option for everyone.3) Intra-Penile Injection (IPI) – Some men opt for intra-penile injections, which is when a drug or treatment is injected directly into the penis. These injections are often done with a hypodermic needle and the medication is absorbed directly into the penile tissues. The advantage is that you’re always certain of the where the medication is going and how much is being administered. The disadvantage is that it’s an invasive procedure and not a viable option for everyone.4) Transurethral Injection (TUI) – With TUI, a needle is inserted through the urethra, which is the tube that empties the bladder. The medication or treatment is then injected directly into the prostate gland, which is where the erectile nerves are located. This is a low-risk procedure and a common means of administering treatment for ED. The advantage is that it’s easy to administer and relatively painless. The disadvantage is that not all medications or treatments are suitable for this method of administration and it’s not a viable option for everyone.
The History Of Viagra
As mentioned above, the roots of Viagra actually stretch back to the 1920s and ’30s, when its primary use was to treat respiratory ailments. But it wasn’t until the 1960s that the drug began to see major use in the United States. Between 1962 and 1964, the FDA received 505 applications for a new drug, which at the time was named FLOMEDYL. Eventually, it was changed to Viagra, the acronym for “phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.”
Viagra was approved for use in the United States in 1992 and has since become one of the most popular medications used to treat erectile dysfunction. It’s currently a $14 billion dollar industry in the United States alone. Globally, it has an estimated market value of nearly $18 billion USD.
Why Should You Look At The Label More Carefully?
You should always look at the ingredients in a product before using it, but there are other things you should check on as well. One of the most important things you should do is look at the “prescription only” or “off-label” use in the fine print on the bottle. This is where a drug’s indication, or the condition it’s meant to help treat, is mentioned. If this isn’t clearly stated on the bottle, there could be some risks associated with the use of the medication. Here’s an example of what a prescription only or off-label use statement might look like:
- “This drug is FDA approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, you should consult your doctor before using it in patients with heart disease.”
- “Do not use this drug in patients with heart disease.”
- “This drug is a cholesterol lowering medication and should be used in combination with a high-quality diet and exercise.”
As you can see, not all of the ingredients are included, which could leave you a little bit vulnerable to a potentially harmful reaction if you use the product. It’s always good to know what the side effects of a medication are, so you can be sure that you’re doing the right thing for your body. This brings us to our next point…
Checking The Side Effects Of Antihypertensive Drugs
When you’re taking medication to treat a condition, there’s always the chance that it could have side effects. This is why it’s important to do a bit of research before using a product. One of the side effects that could arise from the use of antihypertensive medication is priapism. This is when the erection lasts more than 4 hours and can lead to permanent damage.
Though rare, it’s still rather important to know about, especially if you’re using a product that contains Sildenafil and is meant to treat ED. This is why you should look at the ingredients in a product before using it and read the side effects listed on the bottle. This way, you can be sure that you’re not putting yourself at risk for any harm. Here’s an example of what a side effect statement might look like:
- “Although this drug is extremely effective at treating hypertension, it can cause headaches, upset stomach, and vision problems.”
- “This drug can cause photosensitivity, which may result in skin flareups and in extreme cases, rashes or hives.”
- “Women who are pregnant or whose male partners are active in the military should not use this drug, as it could harm their unborn babies.”
- “Do not use this drug in patients with kidney disease.”
- “Use this medication at least 30 minutes before sexual activity and avoid taking it late at night.”
Now, you might be thinking that the above side effects sound rather unpleasant and maybe even dangerous, but they’re all relatively harmless. This is why we recommend reading the ingredients in a product before using it and consulting the drug’s side effects, as this will give you a good idea of how safe or unsafe the medication is and what risks you might be taking by using it. If you do end up developing a problem, there are always drug alternatives available and, in most cases, a suitable alternative will be offered to you by your doctor. But, until then, why not try a product that’s been shown to work for some patients and has a decent side effect profile?