Can Viagra cause psychiatric problems?

The aggressive behaviour of a tourist at a Thailand airport has focused attention on the possible psychiatric side effects of the Viagra.

By: Sandhya Raghavan | | Updated: January 10, 2018 2:14 pm

Recently, a tourist launched a ‘naked’ attack on people at an airport in Thailand. He had reportedly overdosed on Viagra or sildenafil citrate, the drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. The 27-year-old American national who was reportedly under the influence of ‘sex drugs’ including Viagra rampaged through the airport, destroying property and flinging faeces at the staff who tried to restrain him. The scene may seem like something straight out of a screwball comedy film, but the focuses our attention on one of the least-know side effects of Viagra — psychiatric disturbances. Also Read - Sexual assault may lead to serious mental illness: Here’s how to cope with PTSD

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Viagra is the trade name of sildenafil citrate, a drug that works by dilating blood vessels and encouraging blood flow towards the penis. It is mainly used for treating erectile dysfunction. Some of the common side effects of the blue pill include headache, facial flushes, gastric disturbances, nasal congestion and blurred vision. In extreme cases, liver problems and heart failure has been seen. The bizarre, aggressive behaviour of the American tourist has prompted us to wonder whether Viagra affects the brain. It turns out that our suspicions weren’t unwarranted. There seems to be a positive connection between Viagra and aggressive behaviour and violence, according to a study by Dr Harold A Milman, a toxicologist. Also Read - Being too responsible could lead to OCD

In an article published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy¹ in 2002, Dr Milman reported anecdotal evidence and case studies involving men on Viagra who faced psychological disturbances and aggressive behaviour. He realised this potential side effect of the drug when he was assisting the defence team of a man convicted for rape. It was alleged that the man committed the crime because he was under the influence of Viagra, which caused him to turn violent and aggressive. To bolster his claims, Dr Milman stated that there were around 12,000 cases of violence that can be attributed to Viagra use among the perpetrators. Viagra was also listed as a possible cause for 13 rapes and 6 murders.

Viagra alters how you process information

Studies report that sildenafil crosses the blood-brain barrier, and causes biochemical and physiological affects it the brain. This could affect the brain’s capacity to process information.

Viagra can cause aggressive behaviour

Other reports suggest that the chemicals in the drug — phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), NO synthase, and guanylyl cyclase– modulate aggression and sexual behaviour in male mice. This could lend credence to the fact that Viagra could fuel violent and aggressive behaviour in men.

Viagra could cause neurological disturbances

There are studies that point to the role of Viagra in causing neurological disturbances and amnesia. It has been linked to Transient Global Amnesia, a condition in which there is a sudden, temporary loss of memory that is not caused by any neurological conditions.² The person may draw a blank when asked to recollect events of the recent past. But since it is transient, the person’s memory may return after a while.

From what it looks like, Viagra has the potential to cause psychiatric disturbances. Those hoping to fix their bedroom woes with the little blue pill should also be cautious of its neurological, emotional and psychological after effects.

References:

1 Milman, H. A., & Arnold, S. B. (2002). Neurologic, psychological, and aggressive disturbances with sildenafil. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 36(7-8), 1129-1134.

2 Savitz, S. A., & Caplan, L. R. (2002). Transient global amnesia after sildenafil (Viagra) use. Neurology, 59(5), 778-778.

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Published : January 10, 2018 1:22 pm | Updated:January 10, 2018 2:14 pm

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