Most people will be familiar with Viagra, also known as sildenafil, from its use in treating erectile dysfunction. But a nurse in the UK recently claimed the drug had saved her life when she was being treated for COVID-19.
Neither ivermectin nor hydroxychloroquine have been shown to be effective against COVID-19 in scientific studies
Speaking to the British newspaper The Sun, Monica Almeida, 37, described how she was admitted to hospital on November 16 and placed on a ventilator after her condition deteriorated. She told the newspaper that she was given Viagra, which opened her airway and saved her life.
Almeida finally left the hospital on December 24.
Well, we have to be very careful when talking about possible treatments for COVID-19. We’ve seen in the past, with drugs like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, that people took them and harmed themselves before studies showed they were effective. Neither ivermectin nor hydroxychloroquine have been shown to be effective against COVID-19 in scientific studies.
It is important to note that while Viagra is available to buy without a prescription in many countries, there are potential side effects associated with the drug. Some of the most common are headaches, hot flashes, vision problems, and upset stomach. It can also negatively interact with other medications. When taken by someone who is also using heart medication, for example, it can cause dangerously low blood pressure and lead to collapse.
There is real danger in even small news that promotes the use of a drug like Viagra to successfully treat COVID-19. Two years of living through a pandemic has left many people incredibly fearful of the virus and willing to try anything to protect themselves. With that in mind, it is important to note that Viagra or any related drugs are not currently approved for the treatment of COVID-19.
The more we learn about COVID-19 and how it affects our body’s cellular pathways, the more we can come up with new treatments to combat it. But each new treatment must undergo rigorous testing and show clear benefits before its use is recommended.
Viagra has been shown to be effective in treating high blood pressure
On the other hand, Viagra has been shown to be effective in treating high blood pressure in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary hypertension. And in 2020, an article looked at the potential benefit of using Viagra to treat COVID-19 by exploring the science behind it.
According to the researchers, both bacterial and viral lung infections can cause widespread inflammation in the lungs. COVID-19 has been shown to do this. As inflammation develops, it can damage lung tissue, cause blood clots to form, and increase the risk of pneumonia. The study proposed that Viagra could potentially counteract some of these effects and wanted funding to investigate further. But he offered no conclusion beyond this.
Viagra is believed to increase the amount of a substance known as nitric oxide, which can improve blood flow and circulation to the lungs. A study in China is investigating the possible beneficial effects of Viagra on the lungs of people treated for COVID-19 with oxygen instead of ventilation. They believe it can open up tiny blood vessels affected by inflammation and improve circulation and oxygen delivery to lung tissue.
Trials continue, but there is no firm evidence yet to suggest that Viagra should be used to treat COVID-19.
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