Viagra to be obtainable without prescription in UK

the uk's regulatory body, the drug treatments and Healthcare items Regulatory company, pointed out the reclassification moves the erectile dysfunction drug from a prescription-handiest remedy to a pharmacy medication.

The move is anticipated to help clamp down on unregulated earnings of the typical drug.

"Erectile dysfunction drugs are a well-liked goal for criminals selling unlicensed and counterfeit drug treatments," the commonplace company stated in its announcement. in the past 5 years, it has seized more than $sixty six million (50 million British kilos) in unlicensed and counterfeit drugs for erectile dysfunction, it said.

"Making this medication more largely accessible will help direct men who might not otherwise are trying to find help into the healthcare equipment and far from the risks that include buying medicines from websites operating illegally," the announcement said.

In a press release, Pfizer talked about that over-the-counter earnings will begin within the spring to men 18 and older with erectile dysfunction after a consultation with a trained pharmacist. guys who have extreme cardiovascular problems or are at excessive possibility of one, these with liver or severe kidney failure, or people that are taking medicines that might engage will nonetheless should see a physician.

The drug should be sold as Viagra join, a 50-milligram pill with the equal active ingredient because the current prescription drug. The normal Viagra, purchasable in 25 milligrams, 50 milligrams and a hundred milligrams, will nonetheless require a prescription.

The drug may cause side effects together with headache, heartburn, diarrhea, nosebleeds, issue dozing, muscle aches, adjustments in vision and sensitivity to light, in line with the country wide Library of medication. Numbness, tingling or burning in arms, palms, toes or legs may additionally also occur. greater severe side results can encompass an erection lasting greater than four hours, chest pain, shortness of breath, vision loss, dizziness, fainting and ringing in the ears. patients who journey any of those symptoms linked to Viagra should still contact a physician.

See the latest news and share your feedback with CNN fitness on fb and Twitter.

The little blue tablet, as it's familiarly accepted, became created through British scientists at Pfizer in 1989 beneath the chemical identify sildenafil citrate as a heart medication for the treatment of excessive blood pressure and angina, a type of chest pain linked to coronary heart disorder. In early medical trials, the drug didn't prove a success, but look at individuals suggested an increase in erections. This triggered research into using the drug as a medicine for erectile dysfunction.

Viagra was authorized by way of the united states food and Drug Administration in 1998. It has been used with the aid of greater than 37 million men on the grounds that then, in response to Pfizer.

CNN's Jacque Smith contributed to this file.