One of the underreported aspects of the Viagra craze is the number of deaths where Viagra has been present. Although it is believed that an already existing health problem was to blame rather than the drug itself directly.
Within the first 8 months or so after Viagra was launched (late-March to mid-November 1998) 130 deaths involving sildenafil users (the main ingredient of Viagra) were reported in the USA, [17] with at least 54 further deaths worldwide. [18] As of July 1999, the FDA (the USA's drug control body) found that out of 1,473 major adverse drug events reported 564 of those were Viagra associated deaths. [19] The men were usually taking the recommended dosage, had no history of cardiovascular problems and were younger than 65. [20] There is also serious concern that there is considerable under-reporting as reports are submitted voluntarily to the FDA and people (such as a recently deceased man's wife) may well be embarrassed to disclose that their partner had been using Viagra. Also, strokes (Cerebrovascular accidents) have been reported but are generally reported as side effects and not fatal. [21] There is very little publicly available information for recent years - when sales of the drugs (Viagra, Cialis and Levitra) have rocketed (excuse the pun) - about how many men may have died worldwide.
There is the danger of serious side effects from contraindications if taking nitric oxide donors, organic nitrites and nitrates (including nitroglycerin for heart problems, sodium nitroprusside for blood pressure, and amyl or butyl nitrate or "poppers"), for men advised that sexual intercourse is inadvisable due to cardiovascular risk factors, for men with decreased liver or renal (kidney) function, low blood pressure (hypotension), recent stroke or heart attack, and hereditary degenerative retinal (or eye) disorders. [22]
If you have a medical emergency and have recently taken Viagra it is important to tell the healthcare professionals as soon as possible.
RISK OF BLINDNESS
Recently there has been increase concern about the possibility that Viagra has led to varying degrees of blindness - this has been categorically denied by Pfizer. [23] However, the FDA are concerned enough to state; "A small number of men have lost eyesight in one eye some time after taking Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. This type of vision loss is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION causes a sudden loss of eyesight because blood flow is blocked to the optic nerve. We do not know at this time if Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra causes NAION. [24]
Viagra use has been linked to over 40 reports of a condition called NAION (non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy), which can lead to rapid reduction of vision and blindness. [25] NAION is a rare condition in which blood supply to the optic nerve is reduced causing permanent nerve damage. With researchers at the University of Minnesota believe they have detected a cluster of cases of blindness from this cause in men who have taken Viagra. [26]
SIDE EFFECTS
In studies, about half of men who use Viagra experience at least one side effect, and the incidence is higher at higher doses. [27]
Commonly reported side effects:
- Headaches
- Facial flushing
- Nasal congestion, sneezing or runny nose
- Indigestion, upset stomach or diarrhea
- Urinary tract infection
- Visual disturbance (usually seeing a blue tinge to objects with difficulty telling the difference between blue and green). This has led to a ban on pilots using Viagra for between 6 and 12 hours before flying. [28]
- Photophobia or excessive sensitivity to light
- Palpatations (sometimes leading to anxiety or panic attacks)
- Priapism (a painful erection that won't subside after ejaculation - this side-effect almost sounds like it should be too good to be true. However, it can lead to damage to the tiny valves in the penis - most likely in healthy men - and lead to permanent impotence [29] )
- Reliance on the drug for future erections
DANGERS OF BUYING VIAGRA/ CIALIS/ LEVITRA ONLINE
Viagra, Cialis and Levitra should only be bought after a thorough medical examination by a trained healthcare professional. However, it is estimated that 70 million men buy it online from men who have got prescriptions - often at greatly inflated prices. [30] Some companies process faxed or on-line script orders from people for Viagra, when signed by a doctor or use an online "consulatation" instead. These drugs should not be used with nitrates (usually nitro-glycerine and amyl nitrate or "poppers") or alpha-blockers as this can cause a dangerous (potentially fatal) drop in blood pressure or severe hypotension.
WHAT TO TELL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
If you are going to get a consultation for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra then tell them if you.
- have or had heart problems
- have low blood pressure or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
- have had a stroke
- have liver problems
- have ever had severe vision loss
- have kidney problems or require dialysis
- have retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic (runs in families) eye disease
- have stomach ulcers
- have a bleeding problem
- have a deformed penis shape or Peyronie's disease
- have had an erection that lasted more than 4 hours
- have blood cell problems such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
- are taking a medicine called a protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV
- are taking medicines called alpha blockers (alpha blockers are sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure)
