“Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is a medication made by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and is the first approved non-surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) that does not have to be either injected or inserted directly into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription sale at the end of March, 1998.” according to University Health Care.

The medicine was originally developed to help men who were suffering from chest pain. It was originally intended for heart ailments but it didn’t show much promise so the study was halted in 1992.

Researchers published the information on the study and based on the study of sildenafil nitrate, they found that it could be used to treat erectile dysfunction. It was re-evaluated under this premise and was found to show signs of effectiveness.

They performed a wider test involving more than 3000 male patients from ages nineteen to eighty seven years of age who experienced varying degrees of of impotence related to history of prostate surgery, diabetes or spinal injury with some experiencing co-existing illnesses such as coronary artery disease and hypertension.

After testing, researchers found the drug highly effective. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug for use six months after it was submitted because of minimal troubling side effects.

Use of the drug must be taken with general precautions and patients must have realistic expectations. If you are suffering from Erectile Dysfunction, Viagra could be helpful as long as you read about it carefully. It must be understood that Viagra doesn’t cause erection but rather affects your response to sexual stimulation. It is not an aphrodisiac and should not be used by women or children.