Viagra could cause blindness
US health officials are examining rare reports of blindness among some men using the impotence drug online pharmacy. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investing up to 50 reports of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy blindness, or NAION,FDA spokesman, Susan Cruzan, said they have no evidence yet that drug is to blame but added, “We take this seriously”.
NAION can occur in men who are diabetic or have heart disease, the same conditions that can cause impotence and thus lead to Viagra use. More than 23 million men have taken Viagra worldwide. Pfizer Inc manufactures Viagra and their spokesman, Daniel Watts, confirmed that the company was in discussion with FDA about adding a disclosure to Viagra’s label to say that in rare cases, men taking Viagra had developed blindness.
However, he said there is no proof that Viagra caused the blindness. He said that men who take Viagra often have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are also associated with the condition that can cause blindness. On its website, Pfizer states, “The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Less common is bluish or blurred vision, or being sensitive to light. These may occur for a short time.” Patients taking drugs that contain nitrates have been warned not to take Viagra because of sudden, unsafe drops in blood pressure. Test on animal indicate it may also aid in the treatment of enlarged hearts that can results from high blood pressure.
NAION can occur in men who are diabetic or have heart disease, the same conditions that can cause impotence and thus lead to Viagra use. More than 23 million men have taken Viagra worldwide. Pfizer Inc manufactures Viagra and their spokesman, Daniel Watts, confirmed that the company was in discussion with FDA about adding a disclosure to Viagra’s label to say that in rare cases, men taking Viagra had developed blindness.
However, he said there is no proof that Viagra caused the blindness. He said that men who take Viagra often have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are also associated with the condition that can cause blindness. On its website, Pfizer states, “The most common side effects of Viagra are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. Less common is bluish or blurred vision, or being sensitive to light. These may occur for a short time.” Patients taking drugs that contain nitrates have been warned not to take Viagra because of sudden, unsafe drops in blood pressure. Test on animal indicate it may also aid in the treatment of enlarged hearts that can results from high blood pressure.