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| Sildenafil Citrate |
Sildenafil Citrate
is the generic name of the basic drug which is widely used
in formulating the branded version known as Viagra presented
by the world leader pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc. USA.
The drug is generally used for the treatment of male erectile
dysfunction - impotency or for strengthening the masculine
penis for the intended sexual activities. The preliminary
competitors of Sildenafil Citrate in the
market now are Tadalafil and Vardenafil. |
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| The group of pharmaceutical chemists working
at the Sandwich research facility of Pfizer synthesized the compound
of Sildenafil Citrate. The compound was originally
being studied for its use in the treatment of hypertension –
high blood pressure as well as angina pectoris which is one type
of ischaemic cardiovascular diseases. However, during the phase
I clinical trials headed by Ian Osterloh, recommended that Sildenafil
Citrate showed little effect on the angina but instead
it could very well attract noticeable penile erections. Thus Pfizer
chose to market the drug Sildenafil Citrate for
the treatment of erectile dysfunction or impotency instead of using
it for the angina treatments. |
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Viagra is prepared in typical
shaped tablet form of blue color in three different strengths of
25mg, 50mg and 100mg. the drug Sildenafil Citrate
is being sold only against the specific prescription of the registered
medical practitioners, though it was advertised directly on the
Television in the United States. There are plenty of websites on
the internet nowadays that offer this drug under various schemes.
The brand has been so popular that many other producers have launched
their products to be known as ‘Herbal Viagra’ in similar
shaped and colored tablets only. The drug has several nick names
like the vitamin pill or the blue pill etc. |
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Pfizer Inc. is currently enjoying the worldwide
patents for the drug valid until 2011-2013. Sildenafil Citrate
is a powerful and selective inhibitor of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase
type 5 – PDE5 which is liable for dilapidation of cGMP in
the corpus cavernosum. The molecular structure of Sildenafil Citrate
is same as cGMP and functions as the competitive binding agent of
PDE5 in the corpus cavernosum which causes more cGMP and improved
erections in the male penis.
The drug is also considered as metabolized by hepatic enzymes and
erected by the liver and kidneys both. The effect of the drug may
get delayed if taken with high-fat diets due to the delayed absorption
and the highest effect may not be up to the expectations because
the plasma concentrations are lowered. |
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Sildenafil Citrate is reported
to show some serious side effects like: Severe hypertension, myocardial
infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, priapism, stroke, enhanced
intra-ocular pressure and even sudden death. However, the common
side effects as noticed or reported may include: sneezing, headaches,
flushing, dyspepsia, extended penile erections, palpitations as
well as photophobia. The variation in visions may also be experienced
like: blurring of vision and bluish tinge as reported in some typical
cases. The patients already taking Protease inhibitors for the HIV
treatments should be careful as it inhibits the metabolism of Sildenafil
and multiplies the plasma levels of Sildenafil,
improving the occurrence and seriousness of side effects |
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