VIAGRA NEWS

Source: News-Medical.net

Date: 24-Jun-2008

The revelation that athletes are using the drug Viagra to enhance their sporting prowess has prompted the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which monitors the use of drugs in sport, to consider adding Viagra to its list of illegal substances.

Viagra (Sildenafil) is intended to alleviate erectile dysfunction but from a scientific standpoint, whether it also enhances athletic performance is unclear.

WADA is currently conducting research into the drug but results are not expected until next year - the drug is currently not an illegal substance in world sport.

That Viagra has the nickname 'Vitamin V' in sporting circles is an indication of its popularity and experts say Viagra and a similar drug, Cialis are regularly found in the urine samples of male competitors.

Experts believe along with boosting the blood supply to muscles which helpful in sprinting, the drug's may also enhance endurance, especially when competitors are competing in polluted conditions such as at Beijing or at high altitudes as athletes have found that the drug, normally prescribed as a cure impotence, boosts blood flow to their lungs.

While research on cyclists who took Viagra found that it improved their time over 6km by 15 per cent other research has found this does not apply to all athletes and was not a significant performance enhancer at sea level.

Competitor, Andrea Moletta was suspended last month from Italy's biggest bike race following a search of his father's car which discovered syringes hidden in toothpaste tubes as well as Viagra pills.

Many athletes are said to use the drug and there is also a suspicion that it is popular because it may counteract the effects of steroids, used by athletes to build their muscles, which can induce impotence.

Drug company Pfizer which produces Viagra says they are aware of the issue but do not promote Viagra other than for its recommended use.