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Sildenafil
About Sildenafil
A medication originally developed for angina that became a blockbuster for erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil or Viagra works by inhibiting PDE5, increasing blood flow to the penis. Its effect on erections was discovered during clinical trials for heart disease. Viagra was an instant phenomenon, generating billions in revenue. The patent expired in 2020, allowing cheaper generics. Sildenafil also treats pulmonary arterial hypertension under the brand name Revatio. The drug demonstrated how serendipity in drug development can create entirely new therapeutic categories.
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