Viagra - Pill for Impotence

Overview

In 1998 a new era in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) was started - a single-dose oral administration of 25-100 mg sildenafil (Viagra Pfizer). In the submitted review the author describes the mechanism of action of the preparation, its pharmacokinetics and metabolism. The therapeutic effect was confirmed in more than 3700 treated men in 21 published randomi- sed double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies. Undesirable effects were transient and not serious. The administration of the preparation is contraindicated in patients treated concur- rently with organic nitrate vasodilators. The author emphasises the necessity of prescription by a doctor and discusses possible complications of ED treatment. It may be expected that the preparation will be registered in the Czech Republic by the end of 1998. It is unlikely that the preparation will be refunded by health insurance.

Key words:
impotence - erectile dysfunction - sildenafil - Viagra Pfizer.