Sex drug Viagra's unexpected new health benefit revealed: Study discovers how it can help older adults
This new research opens up possibilities for repurposing Viagra as a treatment for osteoporosis. As we age, we lose more bone than we build, increasing the risk of breaks or osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and painful.
As per the findings, sildenafil increases production of vital bone cells, which can help prevent bone loss and fractures. This breakthrough could potentially prevent back pain and fractures in older adults, offering new hope to millions.
With over 3 million Britons suffering from osteoporosis, The Sun reported on June 20 that this discovery could bring significant relief – by strengthening bones and preventing fractures, Viagra may improve the quality of life for many ageing individuals.
Researchers suggest Viagra may also help reduce the risk of dementia by improving blood flow in the brain. However, more human studies are needed before doctors start prescribing it for this condition. It's essential to note that Viagra comes with potential side effects, and its use for bone health should be approached with caution. More about the study
Dr Menglong Hu and Dr Likun Wu, from the Peking University team, were quoted as saying: 'Our findings offer new insights into the physiological effects of the medicine. Sildenafil enhanced stem cell osteogenic differentiation and inhibited bone loss — it may usefully treat osteoporosis.'
Other treatments exist but the researchers said it would be handy to have more cheap and readily available drugs: 'Any new drug must be evaluated. This is time-consuming, expensive and risky. But sildenafil is approved and safe.'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
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These digital marketplaces are not online stores for established pharmacies, but sites that seemingly offer medicine at a fraction of the usual cost. The drugs may look identical to genuine medicines online, but when delivered often have spelling errors on the packet or incorrect ingredient listings. But it's not only fake drugs or placebos. Regulators have raised concern about compounding, where medicines that have been approved individually can be formulated to produce non-regulated "compounds" for individual patients. In some regions of the world, including the US, trained pharmacists are allowed to compound medicines, but even then, the practice is less regulated than the stringent approvals that drug manufacturers must meet to bring their products to market. For example, when the FDA temporarily allowed the compounding of weight loss drugs to address a product shortage, some pharmacists used semaglutide salts — which are not approved by regulators — instead of semaglutide itself. 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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
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