Erectile dysfunction, sildenafil and cardiovascular risk

There has been concern about the use of sildenafil (Viagra; Pfizer) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), particularly with regard to its possible role in the reported deaths and other serious cardiovascular events. Although sildenafil attracted considerable free media publicity in its debut in Australia and ranks as the most publicised new product this decade,^1,2 consumer interest has been subdued and partly overshadowed by reports of 130 deaths involving sildenafil users in the United States between late March and mid-November 1998.³