Jerry Harrison, a pharmacist at Genovese Drugs Corp. headquarters in Melville, said even men in their 80s have been coming in. In the past week, nearly 300,000 prescriptions for Viagra were filled in the United States, up 50 percent from the week before, estimated Shah, who runs a New Jersey health-care research firm. That tops all previous prescription drug launches. Pfizer, encouraged by two initial trials with women, is beginning to test the drug on 500 women in England. Also, a University of Maryland urologist is beginning a study on the effects of such drugs on women.
Patients say that despite the expense, it's worth it.
After everything worked well with this, it's like I started life anew. Even if many of the questions the drug prompts can't be answered quickly, doctors, therapists and drug companies welcome the interest. Doctors and therapists warn that even though the drug seems to have few medical side effects or dangers, it can disappoint people who think it is a miracle cure for relationship problems as well as physical ones. The drug makes some men more willing to consider psychological or at least medical help, Regan said. The drug can boost confidence, some doctors say.