Was viagra a heart medication?

If you’re looking for an article that delves deep into the scientific history of sildenafil, then STOP. But if you want to learn about how a heart medication side effect became one of the most famous drugs on the planet, then buckle up – this is going to be fun!

The Discovery

Sildenafil, otherwise known as Viagra (yes, we all know what it’s used for now), was initially developed in 1989 by British scientists Peter Dunn and Albert Wood. However, its original purpose wasn’t exactly to help men achieve rock-hard erections.

Angina and Arterial Hypertension Treatment

The drug was first intended as a treatment for angina and arterial hypertension – two heart conditions with painful symptoms. But during clinical trials, researchers found an unexpected side effect: many male participants reported having sustained erections after taking the medication.

“Raise More Than Just Your Blood Pressure”

Pfizer Inc., who had acquired ownership rights to sildenafil from Dunn and Wood’s employer at the time , quickly realized they had stumbled upon something big. They launched an extensive marketing campaign aimed squarely at middle-aged men who suffered from erectile dysfunction aka ED aka impotence aka floppy breadstick syndrome… OK maybe not that last one.

In any case, their slogan proclaimed “Viagra: Raise more than just your blood pressure”. Catchy!

The Legal Battle

As we all know now thanks in no small part to those cringe-worthy TV commercials featuring silver foxes – Viagra was incredibly successful with over $1 billion in revenue annually since its launch in 1998… but things weren’t so easy back when it was still considered a heart medication!

Fun Fact Alert: Before receiving FDA approval as an ED treatment , Pfizer spent millions of dollars covering various legal fees associated with lawsuits claiming healthcare providers were promoting off-label usage via prescriptions related to ED. Can’t say we blame them – it’s hard to resist a pill with such an amusingly tongue-in-cheek name.

How It Works

Viagra is classified as a type of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, which means it dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow throughout the body. In simpler terms, this allows more blood to reach the penis when aroused, thus facilitating erections in men with ED.

Sperm Boost?

Aside from making love-making possible again for many couples across the globe, there has been speculation about another potential benefit of sildenafil: boosting sperm motility!

While some animal studies have provided evidence supporting this idea, there have not yet been any conclusive human clinical trials conducted on the topic. Additional research would be needed before we can make any definitive statements regarding Viagra’s effects on fertility.

Dosage & Side Effects

Like most medications, taking too little or too much sildenafil could result in unwanted side effects or even health complications.

Grapes Do Not Mix Well With Viagra

For example: certain foods like grapefruit can delay how long Viagra stays in your system by blocking liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing drugs. Taking nitrate-based medicines along with Viagra also presents major risks due to decreased blood pressure leading to fainting or worse…

So while indulging in aphrodisiacs like chocolate-dipped strawberries might enhance your romantic setting – beware adding fruit-as-a-bowl-of-jelly-‘o-via’into that meal plan if you’re planning on getting down and dirty later!

Insider Tip: don’t get caught accidentally mixing up those two bowls around nosy dinner guests either 😉

Long term or high dosage use may increase risk for Adderall-like symptoms  such as confusion; memory problems; hostility/angry mood swings etc. In extreme cases – coma! So stick to only taking what your doctor prescribes and you should be good to go!

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to imagine that one of the most well-known drugs for a condition affecting millions of men was initially designed as medication aimed at healing hearts instead.

But perhaps it’s fate – who are we mere humans to question destiny anyways? Because when life hands you an accidental erection, sometimes you just gotta roll with it like Pfizer did!

Dane Raynor

Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!