Why would an ICU patient be on Viagra BID (off label use?)

nursej22, MSN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

Viagra may be used for pulmonary hypertension, especially if coused by pulmonary fibrosis.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 28, 2005

that makes sense because it was originally designed as a BP med and the most common side effect was an erection.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 28, 2005

It is actually used on babies also in the ICU and other settings for pulmonary hypertension, what it was originally designed for. Comes is a liquid form.:)

ArmyWife,RN · Nov 28, 2005

I had a patient just the other night that was admitted for persistant hypotension that had scheduled Viagra. I had to go looking for information on it - the short of it is it works as a nitrate. (I didn't give it - pt was on a dopamine drip at the time)

A.W.

veronica butterfly, ADN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

stupid question and not meant to be funny.....

do these patients get erections? and if so, isn't it uncomfortable for them if not "relieved"? or does viagra help someone with impotence only by allowing the body to function if the "mind is willing?"

sheesh, thanks.

TennNurse · Nov 28, 2005

stupid question and not meant to be funny.....
do these patients get erections? and if so, isn't it uncomfortable for them if not "relieved"? or does viagra help someone with impotence only by allowing the body to function if the "mind is willing?"
sheesh, thanks.

Good questions, all. I hope someone here can answer them; I'd like to know as well.

Anyone???

Agnus · Nov 28, 2005

stupid question and not meant to be funny.....
do these patients get erections? and if so, isn't it uncomfortable for them if not "relieved"? or does viagra help someone with impotence only by allowing the body to function if the "mind is willing?"
sheesh, thanks.

In the beginning when it was first marketed a lot of people (lay) thought that. They would take the pill and waited expecting it to just pop up on its own. There must be sexual excitement. Viagra did not eliminate the need for foreplay. If no sexual excitement no erection.

Viagra allows an erection to happen in those who have physical difficulty in achieving and erection.

veronica butterfly, ADN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

In the beginning when it was first marketed a lot of people (lay) thought that. They would take the pill and waited expecting it to just pop up on its own. There must be sexual excitement. Viagra did not eliminate the need for foreplay. If no sexual excitement no erection.
Viagra allows an erection to happen in those who have physical difficulty in achieving and erection.

Thanks, makes sense!!

Uptoherern, RN · Nov 28, 2005

...............so they don't fall off the bed...........:rotfl:

Roland · Nov 29, 2005

Thanks, your information also raises another question. Why is it that Davis (and I'm going to go out out a limb and assume that Lippencott, Mosby et al are the same) don't mention the off label uses for Viagra? Is there a text (or website) that extensively covers the off label uses of various drugs? Also, I just did a Google search and found this article that discussed Viagra after a CABG to reduce the chance of graft blockage http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/full/128/4/3065

elkpark · Nov 29, 2005

The whole point of "off-label" use is that the drug has not been FDA approved as "safe & effective" for that other use. It's a v. grey area legally. The FDA forbids the pharmaceutical companies to promote off-label uses of their drugs; I imagine that the Rx drug reference books, which only cover FDA approved Rx drugs, may well feel that it would be inappropriate to discuss non-FDA-approved usages of Rx drugs.

That's just my best guess, though -- someone else may have a better answer.