Blindness Warning Given to US Viagra Users
Key points
- THE US government has warned that the anti-impotence drug Viagra could make you go blind.
- The Food and Drug Administration ordered that warnings be included on labels for the drug after some users developed a form of Blindness - but it cautioned that it's impossible to know if the pills are to blame.
- The move comes as the agency is under intense pressure to investigate more aggressively and warn the public about drug side effects.
- At issue is sudden vision loss when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, a condition called Naion (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy).
THE US government has warned that the anti-impotence drug Viagra could make you go blind.
The Food and Drug Administration ordered that warnings be included on labels for the drug after some users developed a form of Blindness - but it cautioned that it's impossible to know if the pills are to blame.
The move comes as the agency is under intense pressure to investigate more aggressively and warn the public about drug side effects.
At issue is sudden vision loss when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, a condition called Naion (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy).
Naion is considered one of the most common causes of sudden vision loss in older people, with anywhere from 1,000 to 6,000 cases a year. Risk factors include Diabetes and Heart disease.
Source: Coventry Evening Telegraph
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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