Treatment for multiple diseases
The primary use though of Viagra is for erectile dysfunction and the inhibition of cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme. But it has been observed that it is useful in treatment of some other diseases as well. Those are listed below
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension:
Sildenafil Citrate is also useful for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). The solution is named Revatio, to avoid confusion with Viagra, and they are white and round. Pfizer in 1995 submitted an additional registration for Sildenafil to the Food and Drug Association (FDA). It relaxes the arterial wall, leading to decreased pulmonary arterial resistance and pressure. This in turn reduces the workload of the right ventricle of the heart and improves symptoms of right-sided heart failure. Because PDE-5 is primarily distributed within the arterial wall smooth muscle of the lungs and penis, Sildenafil acts selectively in both these areas without inducing vasodilatation in other areas of the body.
Altitude Sickness:
Altitude sickness is a state which mountain climbers most complain about and recently It has been discovered that Sildenafil has been useful for the prevention and treatment of altitude sickness. Sildenafil is now already becoming an accepted treatment for this condition.
Performance Enhancers:
Professional sports players have been using drugs such as Viagra thinking that the opening of their blood vessels will enrich their muscles, therefore enhancing their performance. Soccer star Pele´ has been openly endorsing it.