Viagra – the magic blue pill – captured the imagination of the world when the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved it as the first prescribed drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED)or male impotence. The results were instant. An estimated 23 million patients have already used this drug and almost all of them have provided positive feedback. The male patients suffering from sexual dysfunction and their partners have expressed enhanced pleasure due to Viagra.
The Controversy
Amidst all the hoopla that Viagra generated particularly among the impotent men and their partners, there came some disturbing reports of permanent vision loss to some men after taking Viagra. It all started in 2000 when a University of Minnesota ophthalmologist reported the first case of Viagra vision loss. Seven patients, aged between 50 and 69 years, showed typical features of NAION within 36 hours after taking Viagra.
Non-Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) – also known as “stroke of the eye,” – occurs when blood flow is cut off to the optic nerve, which injures the nerve and results in permanent vision loss. These cases were published in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology.
The experts opined that Viagra regulates a chemical in the body to constrict the arteries. This constriction may cut off the blood flow to the optic nerve – especially in people with a low cup to disk ratio where the blood vessels and nerves are tightly bundled – thus provoking NAION.
FDA’s Take
The FDA is currently investigating 50 cases of Viagra vision loss in men who have taken Viagra. In its statement dated July 8, 2005, the FDA advised patients “to stop taking these medicines (Viagra, Levitra and ,Cialis), and call a doctor or healthcare provider right away if they experience sudden or decreased vision loss in one or both eyes. Further, patients taking or considering taking these products should inform their health care professionals if they have ever had severe loss of vision, which might reflect a prior episode of NAION. Such patients are at an increased risk of developing NAION again.” The statement further states, “at this time, it is not possible to determine whether these oral medicines for erectile dysfunction were the cause of the loss of eyesight or whether the problem is related to other factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or to a combination of these problems.”
Pfizer’s Take
Pfizer Inc. – the makers of Viagra – has shot back and claimed that none of the 103 clinical trials of Viagra showed any signs of NAION. The experts from Pfizer further observed that all the men were in the age group of 50-69 years. Almost all had health problems including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a history of smoking. These men experienced partial loss of central and/or peripheral vision. The loss wasn’t total, meaning the men didn’t go blind, but it was permanent in all cases. One man described it as “a shade coming down”. One man had problems in both eyes. In the rest of the men, only one eye was affected.
Conclusion
We haven’t heard the last word on this controversy yet. But the bottom line is that the doctors are still prescribing, cheap Viagra and the patients still buy Viagra despite the warning signals.
No matter whether you agree or not sex is important. If physically, emotionally and psychologically there is a fall in performance, it is definitely a cause of worry. Impotence is a condition where men are not able to develop and sustain an erection to be able to engage in sexual intercourse. This potential killer is a blow to the male ego. It affects relationships and causes serious problems in personal life.
But why discussing all this when there is an easy way out. Viagra, the name is quite popular among men who do not want to land up in such situations. Viagra does not directly cause penis erection, but affects the response to sexual stimulation. The drug enhances smooth muscle relaxation and this smooth muscle relaxation allows increased blood flow into certain areas of the penis, leading to an erection. Viagra works in as quickly as 30 minutes and lasts for about four hours.
So do you also want to buy Viagra? You have taken the right decision. But if you feel that Viagra is expensive, then you may go for generic Viagra. It is the closest thing you will find to the name brand, and it is quite affordable.
Many other companies have also introduced products that are similar in nature to Viagra but are less costly. These include Kamagra, Penegra, Silagra, Caverta, and Uprima (generics). Except for Uprima, all these names comprise of the same clinical salt.
The success of Viagra has provided an alternative to many. Caverta, an Indian answer to Viagra, from Indian pharmaceutical brand Ranbaxy, competes best with Penegra from Cadila.
Don’t lose hope and buy generic Viagra now from the online pharmacy quickly.