The use and distribution of sildenafil citrate in community pharmacies of Gondar, Ethiopia, are discussed in this article. Millions of men and women have erectile dysfunction (ED) linked to age-related risk factors like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pituitary/gonadal dysfunction, anemia, renal/hepatic failure, and psychogenic depression and anxiety.
ED is a side effect of drug use. Sildenafil improves sexual erection by inhibiting PDE5 and cGMP breakdown. Recreational sildenafil use with illicit drugs causes risky sexual behavior.
PDE5 inhibitors are illegally sold in Gondar, Ethiopia. This study aims to improve patient outcomes related to sildenafil citrate use in local community pharmacies. nowgreenhealth24x7.com provides information on ED and its treatments, including sildenafil.
Viagra Medical Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits of Viagra
In all studies, Viagra performed much better than the placebo. The patient’s ability to engage in sexual activity increased from a score of about two without treatment to 3 or 4 with Viagra 50 mg, as revealed by the questionnaire. Patients in fixed-dose studies reported an improvement in erections at 62% (25 mg), 74% (50 mg), and 82% (100 mg) compared to 25% (placebo).
Viagra Side Effects
Viagra can cause headaches, flushing, dyspepsia (indigestion), colorblindness, blurred vision, blocked noses, dizziness, nausea, and hot flashes. Viagra’s leaflet lists all side effects.
Men with life-threatening heart conditions shouldn’t take Viagra. Patients should not take this medication with blood flow to the eye nerve loss (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION).
Viagra and nitrates are incompatible (medicines used to treat pulmonary hypertension [high blood pressure in the lungs]). People with severe liver disease, hypotension, retinitis pigmentosa, stroke, or myocardial infarction should not use it because it has not been studied in these populations. The package insert lists all warnings and precautions.
Viagra’s Global Economic Impact
Prioritizing Erectile Dysfunction Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic cut some medical services. As healthcare systems move to a value-based model, services that benefit patients most should be prioritized over low-value care. Endothelial dysfunction from COVID-19 can cause erectile dysfunction in men (ED).
Due to COVID-19, telemedicine has become more popular, but public and private payers don’t cover ED medications. The price of generic sildenafil, a first-line ED treatment, has dropped significantly. Effectiveness, population-wide health impact, low cost, and cost-effectiveness make ED services valuable.
Benefits from Telemedicine
A clinician-patient relationship and continuity of care are two additional benefits of telemedicine that may be especially helpful for ED patients.
Due to the dramatic decrease in cost, public and private payers should reevaluate their coverage decisions for sildenafil and other phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.
Viagra’s Effects on Relationships and Sexuality
The Harvard urologist’s book is not about Viagra, despite its cover. The author uses her extensive experience treating sexual dysfunction to highlight a common patient misconception about Viagra. Patients often fail to recognize that their sexual dysfunction may indicate more significant relationship issues that medication cannot fix.
Viagra may work for some patients, but doctors must carefully assess the patient’s needs and discuss alternatives like counseling or therapy. The book is written for laypeople and primary care physicians to explain sexual dysfunction and its effects on both partners in concise chapters. The book encourages readers to learn more about sexual dysfunction and emphasizes the importance of patient-physician communication, despite its superficiality.
Future Perspectives
Non-oral ED patients have several treatment options: sex therapy, injections, penile implants, intraurethral suppositories, and vacuums. Treating or discontinuing the cause of ED may improve functioning.
Lifestyle changes may help ED patients. Harvard Health Publishing recommends staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, and doing pelvic-focused exercises like Kegels.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy for ED may become common. Shockwave therapy for ED is not FDA-approved. Before it becomes a standard treatment, low-intensity shockwave therapy may help some PDE5 inhibitor users with mild or moderate-to-severe ED.
Melanocortin Activators
Melanocortin activators may treat ED. CNS stimulants cause erections. Melanocortin activator bremelanotide increased penis rigidity to 38 minutes from 3 minutes in the control group. Vyleesi—bremelanotide—helps some premenopausal women with low sex drives and ED patients who don’t respond to sildenafil citrate (Viagra).
Conclusion
In conclusion, millions of people worldwide use Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Sildenafil improves sexual function but has side effects and contraindications. Illicit PDE5 inhibitor sales in Gondar, Ethiopia, highlight the need for better patient outcomes and medication access. COVID-19 has highlighted telemedicine and ED care. Stem cell and melanocortin activators are promising ED treatments. Addressing relationship issues that may cause sexual dysfunction requires good patient-physician communication.