Wonder drug Viagra completed 10 years of wonderful life. Viagra is a brand name for Sildenafil which is used for sexual dysfunction problems. England researchers accidentally identified its efficiency in treating erectile dysfunction in males while they are testing it for heart diseases. FDA took 10 years to grant its approval. Afterwards, Viagra changed the lives of many impotent males worldwide. Viagra (blue pill) dilates blood vessels by releasing nitric oxide and increases blood flow to organs like penis thereby keeping erection. Viagra got another nickname “Vitamin V”. It is the first oral drug approved by FDA for erectile dysfunction (ED) after more than 120 clinical trials on 16,000 men over 10 years. Before the discovery of Viagra, doctors treated impotence through painful surgical procedures. Viagra should be taken on empty stomach for better efficiency and it takes 30 minutes to start action. Viagra can be taken by men of all ages but its efficiency in females is unknown. Viagra statistics: 1. Viagra released into American market on March 27, 1998. 2. More than 25 million men used this wonder drug till date in 120 countries. 3. It is difficult to tell its effects on the personal lives of many couples. Men who lonely suffered for their impotence were now resurrected their sexual lives. 4. Viagra was originally tested for heart diseases like angina. 5. 50% of men over 40 years have some sort of sexual dysfunction problems. Viagra (Sildenafil) uses: 1. Most commonly prescribed drug for erectile dysfunction (60% market share). 2. It relieves jet lag. 3. It is used in high altitudes to increase cardiovascular performance. 4. It is also used in pulmonary hypertension in some cases. Contraindications: Viagra should be used on doctor’s prescription only. It will show dangerous side effects when used along with nitrates or alpha blockers in heart patients. You should tell physician about your drug history and drugs you are currently using. Patients who have liver or kidney problems should take drug dose as … [Read more...]
FDA approved Isentress for AIDS
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Merck’s Isentress (Raltegravir) for AIDS treatment. Isentress is an oral Integrase inhibitor, first in its class against HIV. FDA approved for Isentress use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Isentress (400 mg) is a single tablet taken twice daily. Isentress can only control virus levels in the blood but can’t prevent transmission. Even though, Isentress showed good results in 80% of patients but its high price will limit its use. FDA approved after observing 24-week analysis data of clinical trials in 700 patients who are resistant to most anti-HIV medications. Mechanism of action of Isentress: Isentress is the first drug to be approved by FDA which works by inhibiting the insertion of HIV DNA into human DNA by the Integrase enzyme and limits the ability of the virus to replicate and infect new cells. Other drugs work by inhibiting Protease and Reverse Transcriptase enzymes. Isentress should always be prescribed in combination with other HIV drugs but not alone. Side effects of Isentress: Diarrhea is the most common side effect while nausea, headache and fever are other side effects. Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis are rare adverse reactions with Isentress use. In America: More than 1 million Americans are living with AIDS and around 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Worldwide: Around 40 million people are infected with HIV and 4.3 million new cases are diagnosed each year. 65% of these cases are reported from Sub-Saharan Africa. More than 3 million people died due to AIDS in 2006, according to World Health organization. I hope Merck will lower Isentress price to affordable level for the benefit of poor people. … [Read more...]
Impotence drugs cause hearing loss
Drugs used to treat Erectile dysfunction (Viagra or Sildenafil, Levitra, Cialis) will cause sudden hearing loss. FDA ordered companies to add hearing loss as a side effect in their labels. FDA advised the companies to add “sudden hearing loss” warning both in precautions and adverse drug reactions. The hearing loss occurred in some patients just within hours after taking these drugs. FDA received sudden hearing loss reports from 29 patients. Revatio, a drug used to treat pulmonary hypertension, also carries sudden hearing loss labelling. These drugs belong to PDE5 inhibitors class which relax muscles and increase blood flow to penis to keep erection for a longer period of time. Hearing loss generally affects one ear and it is temporary in 30% of cases. According to labels, these drugs also cause sudden vision loss due to loss of blood flow to optic nerve. Side effects of Erectile Dysfunction drugs: 1. Sudden Vision loss 2. Heart Attack 3. Stroke 4. Irregular Heart beat 5. Sudden hearing loss. If users of these drugs experience hearing problems or dizziness, they should immediately consult physician. Users of Viagra, Cialis and Levitra should immediately stop the drugs after experiencing sudden hearing loss but patients on Revatio should not stop the drug usage without doctor’s advice. … [Read more...]
