FDA Received Adverse Data on the Side Effects of Viagra
See interactive.wsj.com for full text of article in today's WSJ. Excerpts:
Altogether, as of mid-June, the FDA had received about 30 reports of men dying after taking Pfizer Inc.'s blockbuster impotence drug. Most were elderly, with other health problems. In addition to the deaths, the reports show seven men had heart attacks, eight suffered strokes, four blacked out and six had vision problems
The question of drug interaction is also probed in the article:
It is clear that Viagra shouldn't be mixed with nitrates, a warning Pfizer puts on the drug's label. Still, several men have died after mixing Viagra and nitrates.
But the latest reports raise questions about whether other drugs should be taken with Viagra, said Dr. Raymond Woosley, chairman of Georgetown University's pharmacology department. "All high-blood-pressure medications are suspect," he said, since Viagra can lower blood pressure, causing a potentially dangerous drop in pressure, he said. According to the reports, at least 14 people were taking some kind of blood-pressure medication when they took Viagra, including at least four who died, three who blacked out and two who developed vision problems.
Although Pfizer's package insert states that blood-pressure medications were tested and could safely be taken with Viagra, Dr. Woosley said the numbers in the study may have been so small that the company couldn't detect any reactions. He also raised concerns about taking Viagra with Glucatrol, a diabetes drug. At least five patients taking Viagra and Glucatrol or a similar drug have had bad reactions. Two died.
I found the report of interactions with Glucatrol interesting since my understanding is that impotence is a common problem with those suffering from diabetes. Can someone with medical knowledge comment on how common Glucatrol use is among diabetics? |
