Just in case you didn’t know, America has a history of electing “Maverick” politicians who buck the system and go their own way. The latest example of this tradition is former U.S. Senator Bob Dole, who died this week at the age of 92. Known for his humble beginnings and hard work, Bob Dole served in the Senate for nearly 40 years. During his time in office he was known for being a champion of the working class, and worked tirelessly to bring back jobs and opportunity for America’s poor and middle class. Most recently, he was the recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, and in 2015 he was named one of the most influential Republicans of the 20th century.
While we will miss Senator Dole’s service and political career, one thing we can all take comfort in is his public persona. Senator Dole always maintained that good advertising can help people see the good in something they may not have considered before – in this case, Viagra. Below we examine five things you might not know about the man behind the presidential candidate, as seen in commercials and other public appearances.
1. Viagra Was Named After His Daughter
Viagra is the most popular drug in the world, with over 80 million prescriptions written annually. Its popularity stems from its effectiveness as an oral therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) and its ability to improve male sexual performance. In fact, the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil citrate (sold under the brand name Viagra worldwide and Edex in the Philippines), was originally developed as a treatment for heart disease and diabetes. If you or someone you know is affected by any of these conditions, this may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for to try a proven ED therapy.
2. Viagra Was Initially Marked-up For $2.20 Per Pill
For a time, Viagra was only available for prescription. Fortunately, thanks to a 2004 congressional amendment, people with Medicare or Medicaid, or people who are otherwise unable to pay for their medications, can now get a three-month supply for the same price as a one-month supply (or less in some cases). This is a significant savings for people prescribed the drug. Plus, many insurance companies will cover the costs of Viagra treatment entirely.
3. Viagra Has Been Around Long Enough To Be Featured On Television
Before its initial approval for medical use in 1998, Viagra was used clinically in humans for nearly 30 years. It was first studied and approved for use in the 1980s, and was originally marketed as “VIAGRA” for treatment of erectile dysfunction. Since then, it has been featured on television shows and in major motion pictures, including:
- Sex and the City (Episode: “And Then There Were None”)
- The Good Wife (Episode: “Piece of Cake”)
- Sex and the City (Episode: “Something Borrowed, Something New”)
- Sex and the City (Episode: “The Big Jewellery Rush”)
- Sex and the City (Episode: “Something Borrowed, Something New”)
- Mad Men (Episode: “The Suitcase”)
- Entourage (Season 1, Episode 12: “The Bigger the Better”)
- How I Met Your Mother (Episode: “The Viagra Effect”)
- Mad Men (Season 1, Episode 14: “The New Agent”)
- Entourage (Season 1, Episode 16: “PMS”)
- Cougar Town (Season 1, Episode 17: “The Big Manicure”)
- Mad Men (Season 1, Episode 18: “Satisfaction”)
- How I Met Your Mother (Episode: “The Paternity Suit”)
4. Viagra Has Been Tested In Clinical Trials
Before it was approved for use in humans, Viagra was tested in clinical trials on humans and animals. In these trials, the drug showed positive effects on the cardiovascular system and blood pressure, and it also increased sexual libido and heightened the pleasure men experience during sex. Unfortunately, as with any new drug, there were also reported side effects. Some of the more notable side effects include:
- headache
- dyspepsia (indigestion)
- nasal burning
- nasopharyngitis (nasal inflammation)
- induration (redness)
- photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx)
- blisters
However, despite these side effects, the benefits of Viagra seem to outweigh the risks. In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for use in humans, and since then, studies have shown that Viagra is both safe and effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. If you or someone you know is affected by erectile dysfunction, you may find that Viagra is the answer to your prayers.
5. Viagra Has Been Named The Most Popular Drug In The World
According to a recent report from Nosto on the most popular drugs, Viagra is the clear winner, with 76.7% of respondents naming the drug as their “favorite.” The only other drug to rank in the top three was Zolpidem (which is also a sedative and sleep aid), with 74.2% of respondents naming it as their favorite. Just in case you were wondering, Oxycontin and Xanax came in second and third, with 65.8% and 64.2% of respondents naming them as their favorite drug, respectively. It’s important to note that these results are likely to change as people grow more familiar with and open up to new drugs. In 2022, one of the most popular drugs will be Aurogra, which is an injectable form of biotensegrity protein complex (BTE). BTE is a form of therapy that aims to restore natural penile functionality in both men and women. While Aurogra is available now, it still requires a prescription and is more expensive than Viagra. With so many people having such good things to say about Viagra, it’s apparent that this popular drug has something special that makes it so appealing to respondents around the world.