Various facts about Viagra, not just a strong male drug

Viagra is popularly used to treat impotence (erectile dysfunction). This benefit is due to the active ingredient called sildenafil. Maybe you've used it? But did you know that this drug has an interesting travel story from its discovery to its current use? Check out 5 unique facts about Viagra that are a pity to miss.

Various facts about the Viagra drug that you may not know

There are various facts about the drug Viagra that is popularly used to treat impotence, from the beginning of its discovery to the manufacture of Viagra for women. Be

1. Originally developed to treat heart disease

The fact that the first Viagra drug is the discovery of sildenafil as an erectile dysfunction drug can be said to be just a coincidence. In 1986, scientists at Pfizer attempted to develop a drug aimed at treating sitting wind, aka angina pectoris, a condition of narrowing of the heart's arteries. Sildenafil works to block the PDE5 enzyme (phosphodiesterase type 5) which triggers blood vessel dilation, thereby treating angina.

However, researchers found that sildenafil has a relatively short half-life and has the potential to cause dangerous interactions when used in combination with nitrate-class drugs to lower blood pressure.

During clinical trials, it was noted that the drug had little effect on angina, but the results were unexpected. The male trial subjects reported experiencing an erection as a side effect.

Since then, Pfizer has decided to market sildenafil for erectile dysfunction after further research has shown a benefit in this group. In 1998, the drug Viagra became the first oral drug approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

2. Drug facts Viagra is often added to men's health supplements stamina

Since being approved by the FDA and EMEA (European POM Agency) in March 1998, Viagra has become the world's best-selling drug. In a matter of weeks, millions of prescriptions were written for people with erectile dysfunction. And what is quite revolutionary, the presence of Viagra has even changed the specialist doctors who treat erectile dysfunction, from being a urologist or a psychiatrist, to be sufficiently handled by a general practitioner.

Viagra is a strong drug that must be obtained by prescription. However, because of the popularity of this drug, many naughty manufacturers mix male stamina supplements, herbal potions or powerful medicinal herbs with Viagra. This is very dangerous because they mix illegally by not mentioning the presence of sildenafil in their product and it is not known how much is added.

If someone has heart disease or is also taking nitrate drugs, it will be very dangerous. If you have problems with erectile dysfunction, visit your doctor to get the right medicine, don't try certain supplements or herbs carelessly.

3. Viagra is not the only potent male drug available

The fact is that the Viagra drug is not the only strong male drug. Cialis and Levitra are the main competitors of the drug Viagra. All three have the same way of working, but differ in the durability of the effect. Viagra can work for 4 hours, while Levitra can take up to 5 hours, and Cialis can take up to 36 hours. Does it mean that the penis will be erect for 4 or 36 hours? Not. Because after all the drugs above can only work once the body receives sexual stimulation.

The longer the duration of a drug, the more freedom it is for the wearer to initiate sexual activity. For example, taking Cialis in the evening, the drug can still take effect even though you just started sexual activity before dawn.

4. The facts of the female version of the Viagra drug

Viagra has been tried as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women. However, the FDA has not approved it. The drug equivalent to Viagra for women is flibanserin (Addyi) - originally developed as an antidepressant - has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for low sexual desire in pre-menopausal women. However, the weakness of this female stimulant drug cannot be used together with alcohol because it provides dangerous interactions.

5. Revatio, another brand of sildenafil, is used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Seven years after Viagra was released, in the US sildenafil was also approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under the name Revatio. For this purpose, the dosage used is a lower 20 mg, lower than Viagra for erectile dysfunction by 50 mg. Revatio only received permission to circulate in Indonesia last October 2016, so that Indonesian doctors finally used Viagra to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

So if 2 years ago in many national media reports that a baby has respiratory problems and is getting Viagra, don't be surprised because sildenafil is used for their rescue purposes (not for nonsense).