Men who take Viagra (sildenafil) for erectile dysfunction (ED) could have a higher risk for long-term hearing loss.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) like sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil were originally used to treat pulmonary hypertension but are now used extensively in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. To compare use of PDE-5i between participants with and without self-reported hearing impairment, researchers followed 11,525 American men aged over 40 years.
Those who took Viagra or other drugs that act in a similar manner, called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i), were found to be twice as likely to report hearing loss as were men who had not used the drugs. The relationship was strongest for men reporting use of sildenafil (sold as Viagra ) and this was not seen in men who used tadalafil (Cialis ) or vardenafil (Levitra ).
Though the findings link the use of Viagra with hearing loss in American adults, further research is required to confirm these findings. Currently, sildeanfil use requires prescription from a specialist to minimise the side effects, and this study adds to that list.