Posts Tagged ‘blue’
Viagra: The Little Blue Pill and the CIA!
Drug of the Week
Each week, Dr. Mike features a commonly used medication or class of drugs. Learn what they are used for, how they work, and any news updates or controversies.
Viagra (Sildenafil), along with Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), is used to treat erectile dysfunction. These medications, which belong to class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors), can be taken at least an hour before you plan to be sexually active. PDE-5 inhibitors have a high success rate, are easy to use, and often result in an erection if you are sexually stimulated.
How PDE-5 Inhibitors Work
For the duration of an erection, blood fills tissue in your penis, causing it to enlarge and become stiff. The PDE-5 inhibitors relax smooth muscle, allowing your penis to fill with blood.
Side Effects of the PDE-5 Inhibitors
The more common side effects of the PDE-5 inhibitors include skin flushing, stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, indigestion, and headache. You may also experience some vision problems for several hours after taking a PDE-5 inhibitor, including a slight bluish tinge to your vision or increased sensitivity to light.
Do Not Use a PDE-5 Inhibitor If?you are taking any medications that contain nitrates (such as nitroglycerin used to treat chest pain) or using an alpha-blocker (such as Cardura used to treat high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate). The combination of these medications with a PDE-5 inhibitor can lower your blood pressure significantly, possibly causing a stroke or heart attack. Talk to your doctor to discuss treatment options for you erectile dysfunction.
Viagra and the CIA
Last month, the Washington Post reported that a 60-year-old Afghan tribal chief with four younger wives was given Viagra by a CIA officer. According to the article, the officer ?returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes — followed by a request for more pills.? Perhaps the four wives were smiling as well!
What do you think? Leave a comment below or in the Medication Forum.
To ask me a question about medication, email me at drugs.guide@about.com.
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Photo ? Rpsycho/istockphoto.com
Viagra: The Little Blue Pill and the CIA! originally appeared on About.com Drugs on Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 10:45:08.
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Silencing brain cells with yellow and blue light
Neuroscientists have developed a powerful new class of tools to reversibly shut down brain activity using different colors of light. When targeted to specific neurons, they could potentially lead to new treatments for abnormal brain activity associated with disorders including chronic pain, epilepsy, brain injury and Parkinson’s disease.
Leading Blue Dog Suggests Extending Medicare To Uninsured
Leading Blue Dogs wrestle over options to increase coverage for the uninsured and extend Medicare. The Hill reports that Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., “who had emerged as a leader among centrist Blue Dog Democrats opposing the public health insurance option, has suggested something his colleagues consider even more drastic – opening Medicare to those under 65 without insurance.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan Broadens Medicare Options With New Medicare Advantage PPO Product
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announced a new Medicare Advantage PPO product that for many Michigan seniors provides benefits at lower premiums than Original Medicare coupled with Part D drug plans and supplementary coverage. “Our new Medicare Advantage PPO provides the comprehensive coverage seniors want, including prescription drugs and benefits Original Medicare doesn’t provide,” said Mark Owen, BCBSM vice president for federal programs and individual business.
Blue Dogs: We Have Agreement With House Dems On Health Bill
Work on the House health care reform bill is slowing as Rep. Henry Waxman of California and fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats have come to an agreement on Medicare payments, The New York Times reports. “The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Henry A.
Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Florida Introduces BlueMedicare(SM) Group Supplement
To help employers save money when providing health care coverage to retirees, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is introducing BlueMedicare(SM) Group Supplement insurance plans. BlueMedicare Group Supplement is available to Medicare-eligible retirees, and their Medicare-eligible spouses who are 65 and older. “This new option will help groups manage the rising health care costs for retiree coverage,” said Barbara Benevento, group vice-president, Senior Markets, BCBSF.
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