Today, we are going to learn the story of the accidental discovery of the well-known blue pill that is always taken “for a friend “! Let’s get to know a medicine that can make you choose the “blue pill” without even thinking about Morpheus’ offer, even if you really want to know the truth!
“If you take the blue pill, the story ends. If you take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland.”
What is Viagra?
Viagra is a sexual enhancement drug manufactured by Pfizer and approved in 1998. One of the world’s most popular medicines, Viagra, helps to relieve erectile dysfunction in men. Easily recognizable by its distinctive blue diamond shape, Viagra rose to fame soon after its production and has found a permanent place in popular culture. Already in its second year on the market, the drug has become one of the company’s best-selling drugs, with global sales exceeding $1 billion.
Interestingly, Pfizer did not study this drug to increase sexual potency. It was discovered to have such an effect by pure coincidence.
Subjects Not Willing to Return Viagra
Scientists at Pfizer were researching a molecule called sildenafil for use in hypertension (high blood pressure) and chest pain associated with coronary heart disease. The synthesis of this molecule, which in theory is supposed to dilate blood vessels and speed up blood circulation, was completed. Now it was time to test this drug on humans to see if it produced the desired results. People who volunteered for clinical trials were asked to take the drug, and the results were awaited.
The scientists were disappointed. The drug only lowered blood pressure by 3-4 mmHg, compared to the normal 80-120 mmHg. Thinking that all the work had been wasted, Pfizer decided to withdraw the drugs from the subjects. You wouldn’t think for a moment to return a drug that didn’t work, would you?
But it didn’t work out that way. Several of the male subjects did not want to return the drug. When the reason for this was investigated, it turned out that sildenafil caused penile erections. Pfizer seized the opportunity and immediately began to evaluate the results. The drug, which was being investigated as a solution to problems caused by blocked arteries, such as heart disease and stroke, unexpectedly turned out to be a solution to another “stroke” problem.
Serendipitous discovery leads to knighthood
This unexpected discovery by Dr. Simon Campbell, who works on sildenafil citrate at Pfizer, caused a huge sensation around the world. “Known as the ‘Father of Viagra,’ Dr. Campbell was knighted in the 2015 New Year Honours, which recognize the achievements and service of people across the UK.
How Does Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) Work?
To better understand how Viagra works, we need to grasp how an erection happens. When sexually stimulated, the brain sends signals to the penis that cause the release of a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This chemical relaxes some muscle cells in the erectile tissue of the penis, increasing blood flow to that area. After ejaculation, the body releases an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), which breaks down cGMP, causing loss of erection. The sildenafil citrate in Viagra also works to block the action of the PDE-5 enzyme. This increases the blood flow to the penis. This makes it easier to get and maintain an erection.
A little bit of chemistry shows that sildenafil citrate contains nitrogen groups. Sildenafil citrate triggers the formation of nitrous oxide (NO) in the penile region. This potentially toxic gas has a very different effect inside our body. It causes dilation of the blood vessels, which is critical not only for erections but indeed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, the scientists who discovered this property of nitrous oxide, Robert F. Furchgott, Ferid Murad, and Louis Ignarro, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1998. Viagra’s fundamental chemical journey to success is based on this effect.
Warning: As with any medication, Viagra can cause various unwanted side effects. Therefore, we advise you not to use it or “buy it for a friend” unless your doctor specifically recommends it 🙂
References and Further Reading
Richter, F. (2023, March 27). Viagra sales went soft as exclusivity expired. Statista Daily Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/29581/worldwide-sales-of-viagra/
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 8). Cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclic_guanosine_monophosphate
Dishy, V., Sofowora, G. G., Harris, P. A., Kandcer, M., Zhan, F., Wood, A. J., & Stein, C. M. (2001). The effect of sildenafil on nitric oxide–mediated vasodilation in healthy men. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 70(3), 270–279. https://doi.org/10.1067/mcp.2001.117995
Nitric Oxide release triggered by Viagra is key to heart protection, VCU research shows. (n.d.-b). VCU News. https://news.vcu.edu/article/Nitric_Oxide_release_triggered_by_Viagra_is_key_to_heart_protection
MRPharmS, H. M. B. (2023, October 12). Viagra (sildenafil). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/viagra#side-effects
Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 7). Sildenafil. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sildenafil
Anderson, L. A. (2023, October 10). Viagra: How a little blue pill changed the world. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/slideshow/viagra-little-blue-pill-1043#:~:text=The%20sildenafil%20compound%20was%20originally,inducing%20erections%20than%20treating%20angina.
Foley, K. E. (2022, July 20). Viagra’s famously surprising origin story is actually a pretty common way to find new drugs. Quartz. https://qz.com/1070732/viagras-famously-surprising-origin-story-is-actually-a-pretty-common-way-to-find-new-drugs
