Viagra

Author:: Emilie Giguère
Date:: March 30, 2007

Viagra is a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction. The real name of this drug is actually sildenafil citrate. It is the pharmaceutical company Pfizer that invented Viagra. It was initially created to treat hypertension and angina pectoris, but chemists noticed that it had little effects on angina and big effects on erectile dysfunction. It was patented in 1996 and it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (the FDA) on March 27, 1998. Viagra became a huge success. In fact, in the period between 1999 and 2001, annual Viagra sales exceeded $1 billion.

Most common side effects of Viagra include sneezing, headache, flushing, dyspepia, prolonged erections, palpitations and photophobia.

Buying Viagra requires a prescription by your doctor. The drug is sold in three dosages (25, 50 and 100 mg), all costing around $10. It should be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to sexual intercourse.

It is possible to get a free Viagra sample on Viagra's official website. Actually, you have to ask your doctor about it. He or she will give you the starter pack, which consists in 6 pills of Viagra (50 mg) and a guide to getting the most out of Viagra.

As for female Viagra, it does not exist yet. However, drug companies and researchers race to develop a libido enhancer for women suffering from sexual dysfunction.