Sildenafil Citrate

Definition

Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), or impotence, in men.

Description

Sildenafil citrate was originally developed in 1991 as a treatment for angina, or chest pain. The drug, marketed under the name Viagra, received FDA market clearance as a treatment for impotence in March 1998, and since that time it has been prescribed for over 10 million men worldwide. It is the first, and as of early 2001, only oral medication approved for ED treatment.

Viagra is a vasodilator, a drug that has the effect of dilating the blood vessels. It works by improving blood circulation to the penis, and by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, the agent that relaxes the smooth muscle of the penis and regulates blood vessels during sexual stimulation, allowing the penis to become engorged and achieve an erection.

The average recommended dose of Viagra is 50 mg. For men that do not respond adequately to this amount, the dosage may be increased up to 100 mg or decreased to 25 mg. The medication is taken approximately one hour before sexual activity is planned, and may remain effective for up to four hours.

Viagra does not increase sexual desire. Sexual stimulation and arousal are required for the medication to be effective. Despite its widespread use as a recreational drug, it is not an aphrodisiac and there is no clinical evidence that it improves sexual performance in men who are not suffering from ED.

Many insurance plans provide coverage or reimbursement for sildenafil citrate, provided it is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. A 1999 report issued by a health insurance consulting group indicated that almost half of the men taking Viagra at least once weekly receive insurance reimbursement for the drug. The pills cost approximately $10 each, and insurers may limit coverage to a specific number of pills each month.

— Paula Anne Ford-Martin