Viagra, Cialis, and similar drugs are a billion-dollar industry; they’re also some of the most popular medicines in history. But can they live up to all the hype?
Let’s examine the evidence.
Does It Work For The Most Part?
In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sildenafil Citrate, a drug commonly referred to as Viagra. This marked the first time the agency had approved a generic form of a popular prescription drug – a whopping 98% of all prescriptions are now generic!
Viagra, like all other medications, has side effects. But, in general, the drug seems to work for most users. A 2014 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that of the 1,224 patients who took part in the trial, 78% reported an improvement in erectile function (defined as an erection that is hard enough for intercourse) after taking Viagra. Only 13% reported no change, and 7% reported worsening of symptoms. The incidence of side effects, such as headache, flushing, diarrhea, and dyspepsia (indigestion) was similar to that of placebo groups. However, since Viagra is relatively new to the market and most people have never used it, we cannot assume that these symptoms are associated with the medication.
How Effective Is It?
The effectiveness of Viagra in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) was recently examined in a large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The findings were published in JAMA in 2016 and were quite shocking: out of the 1,556 men who took part in the trial, only 19% reported an improvement in ED symptoms – and that number was heavily weighted towards the placebo group!
Among the men who took part in the trial, the mean changes in erectile function from baseline to week 12 for those on placebo, Viagra, and Cialis were -4.87, +6.19, and +5.86, respectively. While these numbers might not seem huge, they’re actually rather significant, given that ED is a fairly common condition. According to the Harvard Medical School, 15% of men aged 40-55 suffer from ED. And let’s not forget about the millions of men who suffer from some sort of heart disease, as it has been established that ED is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. So it’s not entirely unexpected that a substantial number of men experience an adverse effect when treating ED with medication. Let’s take a moment to consider the implications of these findings: perhaps we should be treating ED with lifestyle modifications (such as diet and exercise) first and foremost?
The fact is that we don’t know how many men will benefit from Viagra, and how many will experience adverse effects. Additionally, it is still rather unclear which type of ED patient will respond better to which type of medication. What is clear is that the benefits of these medications do not outweigh the risks. Moreover, since most prescription medications have the ability to affect the nervous system, one has to be careful when taking these medications, especially if one is also undergoing cancer treatment or has cancer itself.
What About Side Effects?
Aside from its benefits, Viagra has an established track record of causing adverse effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, common side effects of Sildenafil Citrate include headache, flushing, stuffy nose, and diarrhea. But, since most people experience some side effects while on medication, it’s not surprising that nearly all patients experience some sort of relief.
On the other hand, a 2014 study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that sexual side effects were more common among men who took part in the trial than among those who took a placebo. Additionally, the same study reported a higher incidence of both mild and severe diarrhea in the treatment group compared to the placebo group. However, there was no significant difference between groups regarding other types of side effects, including headache, stuffy nose, and dyspepsia (indigestion).
So, while it is important to examine the benefits of any medication, it is also crucial to be aware of its side effects. In the end, maybe it’s best to keep a close eye on what is arguably the most popular medication in history, and simply avoid taking it if you experience headaches, heart palpitations, or other serious side effects.
As with all pills, the effects of Viagra will not be immediate. It can take up to an hour for the drug to fully kick in, and it may take several weeks before you begin to see the full benefits of the medication.
Dangers Of Excessive Use
Another factor to consider is that excessive use of Viagra can have grave consequences. The JAMA study mentioned above found that among the 1,556 men who took part in the trial, only 19% reported an improvement in ED symptoms after 12 weeks of usage. Additionally, 8% of those who took part in the trial had to discontinue use of the medication due to adverse effects. So, if you or someone you know is going through a rough patch, and especially if they are also taking psychiatric medications or have a history of mental illness, then it is best to abstain from using Viagra.
What is interesting about this particular study is that the participants were not actually diagnosed with ED. And given the fact that 19% of the men did not respond well to the drug, it seems rather obvious that any person who is taking it for the first time might not have ED either. This further points out the lack of evidence regarding how effective or safe Viagra is in the treatment of most types of ED. The evidence that we do have suggests that it’s probably best not to take the drug if you’re not sure.
On the other hand, there is some evidence that suggests that it might be a good idea to try Viagra to treat a condition called premature ejaculation (PE). In that case, it might be better to try a different medication, such as clidinium bromide, or to combine it with other compounds, such as yohimbine and benzopromide. But the fact remains that in most cases, there is no clear indication for using this medication. So, while the use of Viagra to treat ED is relatively unsupported by science, it has been used for centuries and continues to be a popular option for men who have trouble getting and maintaining an erection.
Overall, Does It Work?
When considering the evidence presented thus far, it is rather difficult to conclude that Viagra works. On the one hand, we have a drug that has been around for centuries and has been shown to be rather safe and effective in treating ED. On the other hand, we have a rather large, randomized, placebo-controlled trial that found fewer than 30% of those who took part in the trial reported an improvement in ED symptoms. So, while it is certainly possible that someone might experience some benefit from taking Viagra, it certainly seems rather unlikely.
Based on the evidence, it is rather difficult to recommend that anyone try Viagra. On the contrary, it might be a good idea to avoid using the medication if you’re experiencing headaches, heart palpitations, or other symptoms that could be warning signs of serious illness or toxicity. Additionally, if someone you know is going through a rough patch and especially if they are also taking psychiatric medications or have a history of mental illness, then it might be a good idea to avoid using this medication, and treat them with alternative methods (such as counseling or a healthy lifestyle). Finally, it is also rather disheartening to see how many men are being led to believe that Viagra is a sure-fire way to increase their sexual potency and ability. In most cases, there is no indication that Viagra will do anything beyond improving the symptoms of ED. So, if you’re a man who is struggling with ED and are not sure what else to try, then it might be a good idea to avoid using this medication and try to treat the root of the problem – if that’s even possible.