The Downside Of Viagra

By Christine Gorman

Viagra may help millions of men--and even some women--but it is not a sexual cure-all. It is not an aphrodisiac; it will not work in the absence of desire. Nor will it make a normal erection harder or make one last longer. It will not, in and of itself, save a marriage. In fact, there are some risks to taking Viagra that everyone, whether sexually dysfunctional or merely dissatisfied, should consider before rushing to the pharmacy:

--HEADACHES One out of 10 men in the clinical trials developed blinding headaches that grew more severe at higher doses.

--SEEING BLUE Because the eyes contain an enzyme similar to the one on which Viagra works in the penis, about 3% of users develop temporary vision problems, ranging from blurred vision to a blue or green halo effect.

--BLACKOUTS Viagra can trigger sudden drops in blood pressure, and there is a risk that men who take it in combination with nitroglycerin or other antihypertensive drugs could faint or go into shock.

--PRIAPISM Although it never happened in the trials, there is a theoretical risk that men with sickle-cell anemia, leukemia or urethral inflammation could, when taking Viagra, develop priapism (defined as an erection that lasts four hours or more). Untreated, priapism can lead to tissue damage and even impotence.

--COITAL CORONARIES Sometimes impotence is an early indicator of heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer. Taking Viagra could mask these life-threatening conditions. Men with coronary problems who have not had sex for many years should consult their doctors before putting too much strain on a weakened heart.

--ABUSE Nobody knows the long-term effects of large doses of Viagra, especially on men who take it for the wrong reason. Although it is a relatively safe drug, there is a possibility that users will become psychologically dependent on it, unable to achieve an erection without Viagra.

--By Christine Gorman