Sildenafil is a name that is not very common among the public, but popular products such as Viagra and Revatio might ring a bell. These products, which also go under the name sildenafil, are defined as prescription medicines which treat erectile dysfunction.
Viagra against ED
In particular, sildenafil blocks cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5, which is an enzyme that inhibits blood flow in the penis. The result of the drug is the ability for men to get an erection and therefore, promote a better sex life. In addition to curing erectile dysfunction, sildenafil has also been known to help pulmonary arterial hypertension in both sexes.
Little bit of history
The history of Sildenafil goes back to 1996, when it was first patented, and then in 1998, where it became approved by the FDA and hit the market. Chemists at the Pfizer Corporation in Great Britain were the first to run clinical trials on the drug, however the patent lists Peter Dunn and Albert Dunn on its patent – though both men do not have connections to Pfizer. Sildenafil, in the form of Viagra, has been a tremendous success with the drug accounting for over 90% of the global market for erectile dysfunction treatments even though it still has to be prescribed by a doctor. As of May 2013, that percentage should rise, as Pfizer will begin selling the drug directly to consumers.
Viagra highest efficacy
One the major reasons for the popularity of sildenafil is its use as a curing medicine in the midst of other medical conditions. Men who have had diabetes or depression for instance have found great success with sildenafil (Viagra) and have even found their mood to change for the better after taking the drug. Most recently, it has been found that sildenafil is a suitable treatment for those who suffer from altitude sickness as well. On the flip side, negative effects of sildenafil have made news as well. Some patients over the years have found themselves with conditions ranging from a minor headache to major conditions, such as impaired vision. Most of these were rare cases, but the FDA now requires a large warning on the drug itself to warn of these potential dangers before ingesting. As of June 2013, the patent for Viagra was ending and the expectation among the media is that other companies will now begin coming up with drugs similar to sildenafil in an effort to compete for lucrative market dollars. To combat that issue, Pfizer expects to bring down the price of its sildenafil products to make it more affordable.
Today, with millions of men using the drug, the early stigma attached with using sildenafil has faded away. Mature celebrities such as Michael Douglas and Playboy owner Hugh Hefner are vocal about their use of Viagra as a way to enhance their sex life and sportsmen have even starting using the drug – not for sexual purposes, but to increase blood flow in their system with hopes of performing better. One thing is for certain, despite what form or name it is called, sildenafil will be keeping the public happy for a long time to come.
Hello, welcome. I am Peter Doherty, Australian physician from Melbourne. My goal is to provide you important information about Viagra and its substitutes.