When Viagra was approved for use in the United States in the late 1990s, everyone expected it to be a blockbuster drug. And for a short while, it was. Within four years of its approval, Viagra sales had climbed to $12.8 billion annually. However, the blockbuster drug’s star is now on the rise for the simple reason that its efficacy seems to be declining. In fact, preliminary data from the 2018 American Urological Association Guidelines on Prostate Cancer suggest that the time of day Viagra works best may be waning, as the drug’s effectiveness is greatest in the morning.
To be clear, this is not a reflection on Viagra itself. It’s a known fact that drugs do not always work as effectively as expected. However, as more data comes in, it becomes more apparent that Viagra is not living up to its potential. Here’s a closer look at what happened to the Viagra lawsuit and whether or not this is a drug you should fear being on.
The Lawsuit
Before Viagra, little blue pills had been prescribed to help men with erectile dysfunction. However, some patients did not like the idea of taking a pill every day to help with sexual dysfunction. In response, some physicians began to prescribe a different kind of medication – one that could be taken before lovemaking: Sildenafil (marketed as Viagra). Like its predecessor, Viagra is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. However, while Viagra only works in the presence of a sexual partner, Sildenafil can still provide beneficial effects in the absence of an erection.
When the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Sildenafil in the mid-1990s, it became apparent that there was a class of patients that benefited greatly from the drug. However, not all men were able to get the same results from Sildenafil as they had before. In fact, many reported headaches, flushing, and other side effects that they associated with the drug. To make matters worse, Sildenafil was also associated with an increased risk of premature death. Even after these risks were made known, sales figures for the drug remained high, with annual revenue now approaching $14 billion.
In 2006, several large lawsuits were filed against the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer. The lawsuits accused the company of false advertising, violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and fraud. However, rather than face the pressure of high-stakes litigation, Pfizer decided to settle the lawsuits out of court. As a result, the company paid doctors and patients nearly $30 million in cash and stock. As a part of the settlement, Pfizer was also required to give $27 million in grants to support education and research initiatives in the field of erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.
In April 2019, Pfizer again entered the headlines when they settled a similar lawsuit for $85 million in cash and stock. However, this time the lawsuit was filed by a different group of men – this time, it was for erectile dysfunction-related side effects. That’s because Sildenafil has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blindness in men with erectile dysfunction. Even more concerning is the fact that patients taking Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction are also at a higher risk of developing diabetes.
The Resurgence Of The Viagra Lawsuit
Since the inception of the Viagra lawsuit, Pfizer has worked hard to repair their reputation in the field of erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer. To this end, the company sponsors medical research, donates to support educational and training programs, and works to inform both patients and doctors of the risks associated with Sildenafil. As a result, sales of the drug have declined significantly, particularly in light of its risks. In fact, in 2018, Viagra’s sales were worth only $7.2 billion, representing a drop of 23% from 2017.
But even as sales figures for Viagra have dropped, its risk profile has not. In fact, the FDA has issued several warnings regarding the drug since its approval. In 2019 alone, the FDA has warned that using Viagra before a meal could increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The warnings also state that the effectiveness of the drug may be diminished in the presence of alcohol.
Given the continued risks associated with Sildenafil, it is perhaps not surprising that more and more patients are choosing to avoid the drug altogether. For instance, between 2012 and 2018, annual sales of nitroglycerin, a generic form of Vigiara, jumped up by 44%. And rather than risk developing erectile dysfunction or prostate cancer, many men are choosing to try natural methods for enhancing their sex lives. One of the most popular natural remedies is gingko biloba. However, rather than focusing on a single compound, gingko biloba promotes healthy blood circulation throughout the body. As a result, it may help to strengthen your heart and fight off disease. What’s more, many men have found that taking gingko biloba before lovemaking can significantly enhance their sexual experience. And rather than being a potential cause of sexual dysfunction, as Sildenafil can, gingko biloba has been used for centuries in many parts of the world to treat erectile dysfunction and enhance libido.
Why Is Viagra Still Recommended?
While it’s always preferable to avoid taking any sort of medication if there is a safe and effective alternative, in the case of Viagra, the risks of the drug seem to be minimal. With its risks firmly in mind, both patients and physicians are able to make a more informed decision about whether or not the drug is right for them. However, in the meantime, it’s clear that many men are avoiding the medication because of its risks. Even more concerning is the fact that with each new wave of drug risk aversion, Viagra’s sales figures continue to decline.
That’s a problematic trend for a drug company that earns most of its revenue from a single blockbuster drug. So, to keep up with the demands of those seeking its benefits, Pfizer still recommends that men with erectile dysfunction take Viagra as part of their treatment plan. However, rather than rely on a single drug, the company now recommends using a comprehensive treatment approach that includes education, diet, and exercise. As a result, rather than causing problems, Viagra may help to fix them.