Viagra is marketed as a miracle drug, and substantial evidence supports this claim. It was the first erectile dysfunction cure that didn’t come out of a needle. The drug’s been in the spotlight recently for its ability to help nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit. The results are staggering. Hundreds of lives have been saved, and men across the globe have clamored at the opportunity for a relatively normal sex life. What isn’t to love? As it turns out, the pros and cons of Viagra are better — and worse — than you thought.
Pros and Cons of Viagra Compared to Cialis
When Pfizer started developing sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient), they were working on a hypertension drug. Clinical trials showed it wasn’t as effective for hypertension as they had hoped. However, most of the study’s participants came back saying, in a word, “wow.” Men at risk of hypertension also tend to be the demographic most likely to deal with erectile dysfunction. While sildenafil didn’t help ease high blood pressure, it did make the patients’ little problem into—*ahem*—a big success. Viagra has since been the top name in senior sex lives, despite competition from Cialis and Levitra.
Cialis proved to be more effective for hypertension. Cialis was approved for erectile dysfunction in 2003 and for treating hypertension in 2009.
Viagra for Hypertension: Miracle Drug for Newborns?
But Viagra isn’t just for the young at heart—it has been successful at treating the youngest among us.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital uses Viagra on premature newborns. Needless to say, the popular prescription drug’s treatment greatly differs in this case. The culprit? Pulmonary hypertension.
A form of high blood pressure in the heart and lungs, pulmonary hypertension is a leading cause of death for preemies. Though Viagra’s use on newborns hasn’t been approved by the FDA, it’s well-received in the NICU. There, it relaxes babies’ lungs and ensures tiny hearts don’t have to work so hard to circulate blood. Nationwide Children’s uses it to treat close to 4,500 premature babies annually, saving hundreds of lives.
The reason for using a drug intended for middle-aged men on such tiny patients? There aren’t many drugs out there that have been adapted to their age bracket. While Viagra has been a boon in the NICU, there’s one demographic it might by hindering, not helping: The adult men for whom it’s actually marketed.
Viagra Dangers
Most men have smirked at the prospect of walking into the ER with an erection that has lasted 4 hours or longer. But the truth is that priapism is no laughing matter.
Priapism is a condition in which blood becomes trapped in the penis. Erections happen when blood flows to the penis, but it should also flow out. In priapism, there is a problem with the arteries going in and out, and the penis becomes engorged. That engorgement can do irreparable damage to the organ because no blood flow means that no oxygen is reaching the tissue. Put very simply, your penis tissue could suffocate and die. That will be the last natural erection you ever experience.
Viagra and Melanoma
Beyond priapism, Viagra and Cialis both pose significant cancer risks. And in fact, it’s not listed in any drug warnings from the manufacturer.
Research suggests erectile dysfunction drugs may catalyze the spread of melanoma by altering cell-to-cell pathways. A 2014 study published by the Journal of American Medicine said that the risk of developing melanoma 84% higher in those taking an erectile dysfunction drug than in men who do not.
Viagra entered the market in 1998 for treating erectile dysfunction. It currently earns billions of dollars in sales each year, thanks to widespread success. Viagra’s recent ad campaign targeted toward girlfriends and wives showcased the drug’s importance to both genders. However, the perks end there.
The JAMA study shows that Viagra mimics the process that helps melanoma metastasize along cell-to-cell pathways. While early stage skin cancer is often treatable, advanced cases can be deadly.
Viagra doesn’t cause skin cancer. Rather, it allows any existing melanoma cells to move faster and farther than they otherwise could travel. More research is underway on the connection between Viagra and melanoma. Until those findings are published, speak with your doctor to gauge your melanoma risk before taking Viagra.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know took Viagra and subsequently diagnosed with melanoma, you may be eligible for a Viagra lawsuit. Start by speaking with an advocate or attorney who has a background in mass torts of this nature and is familiar with the case. Fill out your free Viagra claim review form today to speak with an experienced lawyer and see if you may qualify for financial compensation.
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.