men with ed seeing blue over rare viagra side effect

a study in the journal frontiers in neurology , is shedding light on a rare side effect of the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil. the active ingredient in viagra, sildenafil can cause the vision in some men to be tinted blue.

according to science live , it’s well known that sildenafil can cause temporary vision changes (like cyanopsia) that can last for a few hours. but persistent vision changes are much more rare. in the case studies examined in the report, researchers say that the men’s vision returned to normal after 21 days.

in a statement, study author dr. cüneyt karaarslan of the dünyagöz adana hospital in turkey, told eurekaalert that “for the vast majority of men, any side effects [of sildenafil] will be temporary and mild.” she said that she wanted to highlight that persistent eye and vision problems could be encountered by a small number of users.

science live says that sildenafil works to treat erectile dysfunction by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 5 (pde5) that helps to regulate blood flow to the penis. but the drug also inhibits a related enzyme that’s found in cells at the back of the eye. it’s believed that in high doses, this could lead to buildup of a molecule that can be toxic to retinal cells.

for the men in this study, it was their first time taking the erectile dysfunction drug. they began with the highest dose, so starting with a lower dose could have less severe side effects. in a press release , the researchers noted that the high dose was likely because the men were under medical supervision in the study. otherwise the amount of the drug prescribed would have likely been lower.