SOME ERECTILE dysfunction (ED) researchers and pharmaceutical manufacturers may be suffering a bit of sildenafil envy these days, but recent findings give hope to those wishing to slow the Viagra prescription juggernaut.
Researchers at last month's 93rd Annual Meeting of the American Urology Association (AUA), held in San Diego, Calif, presented studies promoting alternatives to Viagra (sildenafil citrate), the cGMP-specific type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor manufactured by New York, NY–based Pfizer Inc.
That's not to say Viagra is in trouble. Indeed, at the AUA meeting further evidence of its efficacy and safety were presented.
Still, those promoting other ED treatments subtly attacked Viagra at its Achilles' heel—taking the drug while also using an organic nitrate. This concomitant action can result in large and sudden drops in systemic blood pressure. Coupling that contraindication with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) posting of 16 deaths in which Viagra was listed . . . [Full Text of this Article]
