Re: Viagra can be deadly

[Guest guest]

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/18f66e.htm

Viagra (Sildenafil) Linked To Adverse Cardiovascular Effects

LOS ANGELES, CA -- March 14, 2000 --- A limited study conducted at

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and utilizing post-marketing

adverse event reports made to the FDA, shows that there appears to be a high

number of deaths and serious cardiovascular events associated with the use

of Viagra, the most commonly prescribed therapy for erectile dysfunction in

men. These findings will be presented March 14 at the meeting of the

American College of Cardiologists in Anaheim, CA. Presenters will be Sanjay

Kaul, M.D., and Babak Azarbal, M.D.

In an analysis of 1,473 major adverse events, 522 people died, the majority

due to cardiovascular causes. According to the study's senior author, Dr.

Kaul, the majority of deaths were associated with standard Viagra dosages

(70 percent of the deaths were associated with the 50 mg dose), were due to

cardiovascular causes and appeared to be clustered around the time of dosing

(two thirds of deaths in which the time from ingestion to death was

reported, occurred within 4-5 hours of taking Viagra). The majority of

deaths occurred in patients who were less than 65 years of age, and who had

no reported cardiac risk factors.

The study confirmed the well-documented increased risk with combined use of

nitrates and Viagra. Of the 90 patients who were on nitrates and taking

Viagra, death occurred in about 68 percent, and death or myocardial

infarction occurred in 88 percent. However, the study showed that most

deaths (88 percent) actually occurred in patients who were not taking

nitrates, leading investigators to speculate whether there are some

susceptible individuals who don't need nitrates to unmask the harmful

effects of Viagra.