Does it have side-effects?
In a small number of cases, people who have taken Viagra have complained of headaches, flushing and stomach-ache. It can also cause some visual problems, including an increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision or an inability to tell the difference between blue and green. Men who are already taking medicines that contain nitrates, such as nitro-glycerine, are strongly advised not to use Viagra because the combination can lower blood pressure too much. There are also concerns about its safety following the deaths of a small number of American men who have taken the drug. The Food and Drug Administration is investigating.
Some people in the UK are already taking Viagra. How is that possible?
Doctors in the UK can give a drug to a patient under what is known as the “named patient” arrangement. This allows the doctor to prescribe an unlicensed drug if they are satisfied that it is the right treatment and the patient takes full responsibility for anything that goes wrong.
What other treatments are available for impotence?
Many men use vacuum devices or compression rings to get and keep an erection. It is possible to have an injection in the base of the penis to increase the flow of blood. Surgery and implants are also an option in some cases. There are also several other prescriptions and over-the-counter pills that have been recommended for impotence problems in men, but none of these have ever been proven to be as effective as Viagra.