Viagra is usually thought of as a pill to increase sexual responsiveness. However, researchers have been discovering that Viagra’s usefulness goes beyond treating sexual problems. It belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE-5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing the muscles around arterial blood vessels and increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to target areas. This mode of action makes Viagra potentially beneficial for the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions.
Pulmonary Hypertension
As of July 2010, the only FDA-approved use for Viagra, besides in the treatment of sexual dysfunction, is for pulmonary hypertension. This life-threatening disease is characterized by constriction of the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs, which damages the heart and impairs the functioning of the lungs. Viagra, under the trademark name Revatio, may be prescribed for pulmonary hypertension. According to the medication's official website, Revatio helps lessen symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of a medication tends to lag behind the medical knowledge of its usefulness. This often leads to off-label prescribing, where doctors give their patients medications for uses other than those approved by the FDA. In Raynaud's Phenomenon, exposure to cold or stress triggers spasms in the arteries of the hands and feet. Secondary Raynaud's phenomena can be severe, with arterial constriction leading to infections and ulcerations in the fingers and toes. A report published in the 2005 issue of "Circulation" notes that German researchers have found that Viagra can help reduce the number and severity of attacks, as well as help heal skin ulcers, in Raynaud's patients.
Problem Pregnancies
Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, has been testing the medication for use in maternal hypertension in pregnancy and maternal pre-eclampsia, which is associated with premature births. The "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism" reports on a study by doctors at the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre in Manchester, England, where researchers say that because of its ability to increase blood flow to the uterus and stimulate fetal growth, Viagra can potentially be a great help for problem pregnancies.
Strokes
The Neuroscience Institute at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit has done research indicating the usefulness of Viagra in enhancing recovery after a stroke. Researchers speculate that the medication could stimulate the growth of new brain cells and pathways for stroke victims, helping to restore stroke-related deficits in speech, mobility and cognitive functioning.
Further Areas of Research
Scientists are moving forward with investigations of possible uses for Viagra. On September 2007, "The Independent" newspaper celebrated Viagra's fifteenth anniversary of being on the market by reviewing the research on potential uses of the medication. Areas of inquiry include the use of Viagra in the treatment of heart disease, diabetes, jet lag, Alzheimer's, breast cancer, Crohn’s disease and prostate trouble. Most of the research is still in the early stages, but researchers say the findings are promising.
