Viagra, the first-ever impotence pill for men, has hit the market hard. Jim Landon, a registered nurse at the Columbus Center for Men's Health, said since the pill became available two weeks ago, inquiries to the center have increased from 70 per week to 70 per day. Originally a drug for chest pains, patients taking Viagra found it did nothing for those pains. Instead, some males discovered Viagra helped them in other ways, Landon said. "Viagra doesn't give an erection, it facilitates one to happen," Landon said. "You still need sexual stimulation for it to work." Landon said there are many rumors going around about what Viagra can do for a man. "It's not an aphrodisiac and it will not make you Superman," Landon said. "Viagra works only as a treatment for impotence. Otherwise, it's an unnecessary expense." Viagra can cost anywhere from $7 to $12 per pill and is not covered by most insurance companies. Landon said those companies that cover the drug will usually allow six pills per month. "They are basically putting a limit on your sex life," Landon said. Some people who take Viagra do discover mild side effects. Headaches and upset stomachs are the most common ones. "The most severe side effect that I've ever seen is people not being able to distinguish between green and blue," Landon said. "So far the results have been outstanding," Landon said. "In 21 years of medicine, I've never seen anything like this. It's astounding." Dr. Robert Bahnson, director of the Division of Urology at the Ohio State Medical Center, is also pleased with the results. "What makes Viagra so different from other impotency drugs is that it brings about a person's normal sexual response," Bahnson said. "It doesn't give super potency or fantastic erections." Bahnson said a problem with Viagra is the potential for its misuse. "Our goal at the urology department is to inform the public and let them know that it's not appropriate to use the drug unless you have problems with impotency," he said.
New impotence pill raises local interest
Published: Monday, August 3, 1998
Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2009
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