Say no to Viagra

Judging by the recent success of Viagra (sildenafil) a visitor from outer space might conclude that what truly distinguishes man from other species is his desire to take pills affecting his reproductive functions. For here comes the sensational blue diamond shaped pill that for $7-10 (£4-6) inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5, maintains high levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate in the corpus cavernosum, causes local vasodilatation and smooth muscle relaxation, and promises to revolutionise the love life of 140 million people in the world.

Studied in over 4000 people, including a 74 year old retired senator who had undergone prostatectomy, it helped some 60-80% of people suffering from erectile dysfunction a condition well studied by plethysmography and an …