That well-known “little blue pill” that has helped millions of men suffering from erectile dysfunction may someday be available in the form of a stick-on patch.
Research has shown that it’s possible to shrink sildenafil citrate, the drug used to make Viagra, at a molecular level. This would reduce it down into tiny nanoparticles small enough to penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream.
A Transdermal Patch for Viagra
What would this mean for men who rely on Viagra to maintain their love life? A whole new level of ease, speed, and convenience in getting the desired results.
According to one recent health article, benefits of the patch would include:
- The stick-on skin patch could be worn on the upper arm or abdomen- not in a conspicuous location
- The patch may also curb any side-effects triggered by ingesting the drug, these include headaches, indigestion, disturbed vision and muscle pain
- Unlike a pill, the patch allows delivery and absorption that could go to work in minutes versus at the typical hour required with the pill form.
- The patch’s effects would last longer, well beyond current 10-hour window men have when taking the pill.
Viagra (sildenafil) was approved by the FDA in 1998 as an oral treatment for the erectile dysfunction. Male impotence is actually a very common problem, affecting at least one-third of men at some point during their lifetime.
The possibility of a trans-dermal Viagra patch is the result of years of research of scientists attempting to develop new ways to get drugs like Viagra into the blood without going through the stomach. The idea is not just for the patient to get faster results, but also a way to reduce the risk of adverse effects of medication as it is digested and absorbed.
The challenge in creating a stick-on patch has not been easy. The biggest issue in development has been the fact that most pharmaceutical drugs are made up of fairly large molecules, which are unable to fully penetrate through the skin.
Essentially, sildenafil citrate (the drug in Viagra), doesn’t mix well with other substances, which means it’s difficult to contain in a patch. It also doesn’t pass through the skin membranes easily. The solution was to package the drug in a nanoemulsion of microscopic droplets many times smaller than a bacterium.
“Nanoemulsion elaborated could significantly enhance transdermal permeation of SC with higher initial permeation and prolonged release,” the researchers stated in a paper published in the International Journal of Nanotechnology.
This latest breakthrough research was conducted by a team at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, assisted by scientists at Cairo University. They used a new drug delivery method, called “transferome technology”, which not only addressed the absorption challenge, but the patch could possibly be no bigger than 1 square centimeter.
How Would it Work?
Researchers found a way to create an extra tiny patch, which is made of a thin film containing minute particles of the active drug, which are easily absorbed through the skin. The key, according to researchers, was the size of the drug particles, in the patch is a chemical that improves penetration of the skin and having the patch coated in a thin layer of fat to help with the absorption process into the skin of the patient.
As a PDE5 inhibitor, Viagra relaxes the muscles in the penis, allowing the vessels to dilate and fill with blood. The result is improved blood flow that facilitates an erection once you become sexually aroused. Viagra has been shown to work well for most men, regardless of age, even if you have had male impotence for several years.
So far it appears the patch will work as the scientist hoped. An experimental patch was tested on rats to see how much of the medicine could be absorbed. The test patch contained just one milligramme of Viagra, so an adjustment to human patches will need to be made to accommodate the 25mg to 50mg standard dose.
According to a report in the journal Drug Design, Development and Therapy, scientists said the results showed Viagra particles successfully made its way through both the outer and inner layers of the skin in the tests conducted.
In a report on the findings researchers stated: “This could be a promising delivery system for the drug. The skin is an alternative route to the oral one, prolonging the effect and reducing variability.”
Clinical trials show that Viagra, in general, is effective for up to 80 percent of men and its safety and effectiveness have been well documented over the last 18 years. And it is affordable, since it is a proven treatment for male impotence and most health insurance plans will cover Viagra.
According to the chairman of the British Society of Sexual Medicine, Dr. Geoff Hackett, the option of a Viagra patch may be popular with those men who might find it easier to use.
The only concern over the success of the patch with consumers is that it could carry a higher cost for patients. Hackett stated that he did not think a patch would end up being in high-demand once patients realized the “little blue pill” actually cost them a fraction of the price of the new patch.
Viagra Facts and Possible Side Effects
The patch may be available in just a few short years, and until then, the oral pill is the only option. But, Viagra is a very safe and simple to use oral medication.
- Essentially you should take Viagra approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. The effects of the drug can last for up to 4 hours. Some men even find that they can get more than one erection per dose.
- The typical dosages for Viagra are 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. Usually the doctor sets the initial dose at 50 mg, and then decides, based on follow-up consultations, if more is needed.
- The side effects of Viagra are generally mild and most men report that they disappeared completely as they continued to use the drug. The most common side effects of the drug are back and muscle pain, dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, nausea, rash, and runny or stuffy nose.
How Do I Get Viagra?
Whether your prescription is in pill form or eventually, the patch, you could get it filled at your local pharmacy. Or you could seek a highly-trusted, FDA-licensed, online store like eDrugstore.com. There you will only find brand name Viagra for male impotence, manufactured in the United States by Pfizer, Inc. Since 1998, eDrugstore.com has helped more than 500,000 customers gain access to prescription medications, while offering first-class customer service and support.
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