Viagra has helped thousands of patients overcome erectile dysfunction since it became available in Taiwan in 1999. More than 3.75 million of the blue pills have been prescribed within the past two years, said a well-known urologist at a press conference yesterday.
Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is the brand name for a pill that is used to overcome erectile dysfunction. It was approved for sale in the US on March 27, 1998, and first approved in Taiwan on Jan. 30, 1999.
According to health statistics, three Viagra pills are prescribed every minute. More than 3.75 million pills have been consumed since 1999.
Possible side effects of Viagra include headaches and temporary blurry vision.
More than 80 percent of the users say they are satisfied with the results and over 70 percent of their partners feel the same way.
The urologist said that many Viagra users do not actually suffer from erectile dysfunction, but simply believe that they do. He said that it is common practice to prescribe the medication to these patients as well.
"Speaking from the point of view of a urologist, it is more important that Viagra be used as a medicine to improve relationships between males and females," said the urologist, Chiang Han-sheng (
In regard to the two most commonly asked questions about Viagra, Chiang said most people worried too much.
"A lot of people ask me whether it is safe to take Viagra when the patient has had a heart attack," he said. "Well, actually, many people do not know that Viagra is actually a medicine for heart disease."
"Also, a Viagra user will not become addicted to the drug if he follows the doctor's prescription," he added.
At the press conference, Chiang also said that Cialis and Apomorphine are two new drugs for erectile dysfunction which could challenge Viagra's monopoly on the market in the future.
"These three different pills have different side effects so the patients will have more options to fit their needs," said Chiang.
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