Viagra Studies

Links between Erectile Dysfunction Drugs and HIV

The researchers, drug company employees and the government officials are all busy thinking together that how erectile dysfunction drugs may be linked to the HIV infections and the other sexually transmitted diseases particularly in gay men as reported in the 'Globe Post'.

It has been found that around 31% of the gay population in the US uses various kinds of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra and that too without any physician's prescription. A study in San Francisco shows that in a group of gay and bisexual men around 31% men took Viagra without consulting any physician. Moreover these men who use these erectile dysfunction drugs are much more likely to practice unsafe and risky methods of sex spreading sexually transmitted diseases. These men indulge in high sexual behavior. Another study also proves that the recreational users of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra were twice as likely to be suffering from HIV as compared to the non-users.

It has also been seen that gay men are more likely to use Viagra in combination with other illegal club drugs like crystal methamphetamine or ecstasy as they get a kick up for engaging in sex more quickly with multi-partners after taking these drugs.

Owing to these worrisome research studies the health department of San Francisco has given instructions to the drug manufacturers not to supply with free drug samples because these free drug samples are often misused by the drug abusers. The drug manufacturers have also been told to limit the refills of these medicines. All this, the department of health believes, would help in curbing the misuse or the drug abuse of these kinds of drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration has also been asked to declare some medicines as controlled substances as this would also assist in curbing the practice of drug abuse. The drug manufacturers have also been given instructions to hold some educational and informative discussions with the health care providers as well as the consumers to highlight the connection between the erectile dysfunction drugs and the high risk sexual behavior spreading various sexually transmitted diseases.