Viagra a medicine, not stimulant: Doctors

http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IE320060104110834&Title=Features+-+Health+%26+Science&Topic=-162

AHMEDABAD: Popping up a blue pill of Viagra or any of its Indian variant indiscriminately thinking it to be an aphrodisiac could be dangerous as the tablet is a specific drug for treatment of a particular sexual disorder and not a sex stimulant as many believe, according to a leading doctor.

"These tablets which contain sidnafil citrate are specific drugs that are effectively used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is something that needs to be taken under a doctor's supervision and not purchased over the counter," said Ramesh Goel, consultant in Diabetology and Endocrinology of Apollo Hospital.

"Many people do not know that this tablet is a specific medicine and not a sex stimulant. It is effective only on those patients who are suffering from erectile dysfunction, especially the ones who are suffering from long-standing diabetes. If a normal person takes this tablet, it will have hardly any effect," he added.

Moreover, any person suffering from coronary heart diseases, who is taking nitrate drugs, should not take this unless it is specifically prescribed by his doctor, said Goel.

How sidnafil citrate became a drug to cure erectile dysfunction is very interesting. "This medicine was earlier prescribed by doctors in the United States to the patients having cardiac problems," said Goel. "It was found that the patients were not returning unused samples to the doctors. It was then discovered that this drug was resulting in enhanced erection - as a side effect. Hence, the patients were using it for a purpose which it was not originally intended for,"added Goel.

"This side-effect resulted in totally new discovery... It resulted in research being diverted to a totally different path. It is very common among men who suffer from long standing diabetes in whom the blood vessels get narrowed down and also the nerves carrying sensations get affected. A pill of Viagra costs more than Rs 500 while its Indian equivalents are available for as low as Rs 25 and are equally effective as the basic ingredients in both are same," Goel said.

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