Viagra, at least, may prove useful for some other conditions, including
these:
Pulmonary
hypertension
Viagra is now marketed under the name Revatio for this uncommon but serious
disorder of high pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs.
Mountain
sickness
Viagra can reduce pulmonary artery pressure at high altitude and improve the
ability to exercise in low oxygen conditions.
Raynaud’s
phenomenon
In affected individuals, exposure to the cold triggers spasm of the small
arteries that supply blood to the fingers, toes, or both, which become pale,
cold, and painful. Both Viagra and Levitra have been helpful in clinical
trials.
Heart
disease
Studies suggest Viagra might help patients with congestive heart failure or
diastolic dysfunction.
After several years on the market, erectile dysfunction
drugs are being considered for treatment of other conditions, and the FDA has
approved sildenafil for treatment of pulmonary hypertension.