Viagra may cause a rare form of blindness - risk small with very few cases among 23 million users - first reports in 2005. Possible risk of blindness from non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy. This is a rare condition in which blood supply is reduced to the optic nerve causing permanent nerve damage, and research workers at the University of Minnesota believe they have detected a cluster of cases of blindness from this cause in men who have taken Viagra. The US Food and Drug Administration has also identified 50 men with blindness who have taken Viagra, but who also had diabetes and heart disease. However these problems with blindness need to be seen in the context of 23 million users, most of which have experienced significant benefit to their sex lives, and the fact that blindness is a known risk in those with both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Viagra for women for infertility treatment - 10 British women have conceived taking Viagra. Dr Mohammed Taranissi, Director of Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre in London said Viagra worked on women with thin uterus lining.  "Very early days but promising".  Work heavily condemned by Lord Winston - UK leading IVF / infertility pioneer who warned of another Thalidomide disaster since Viagra had not been tested on pregnany women and Viagra could damage the unborn child. Herald also Times 23 October 2000

US study suggests insurers should pay for Viagra as the treatment has been shown to be lower cost than many alternatives.  Detroit News 22 June 2000

Sales boom of Viagra in war-torn Kashmir following many cases of impotence caused by combat stress, torture and other traumas.  Australian 24 June 2000

Within the next two years Vardenafil will be introduced by Bayer. The product will be an alternative to Pfizer's Viagra.  European Chemical News 12 June 2000

Viagra well tolerated by men with type 1 and type 2 diabetes according to US study.  Chemical News Database 12 June 2000

Viagra does not cause direct adverse cardiovascular effects in men with severe coronary artery disease, according to a new study.  Viagra study reinforces the official line taken by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology that Viagra can be safely used by men with stable cardiovascular disease, providing they are not taking nitrate drugs.  New England Journal of Medicine 1 June 2000

83 year-old British man arrested for forging Viagra script - after doctors limit him to just 4 tablets a month.  Not enough he says - life revolutionized by the drug.  Reuters: 29 October 1999

Internet Viagra sites growing with major concerns about safety of use where there has been no face-to-face medical consultation.  State of Illinois issues legal challenge to many US sites but 1 in 6 web-sites selling Viagra are based in Britain.  Times: 28 October 1999

Reports of Viagra deaths remain rare considering the number of Viagra users but are almost always linked with pre-existing heart disease.  Many cardiologists believe these Viagra deaths to be the result of exertion during intercourse.  Christchurch Press NZ: 22 October 1999

Viagra sales up 77% to $249m in last quarter - after a dip which followed a massive take-up on launch.  Reuters 19 October 1999

Viagra helps women - growing number of studies show that Viagra can have a huge effect on women's sexual function - so long as the situation is one she would normally find enjoyable, arousing and emotionally fulfilling.  Various reports October 1999

Viagra helps women: University of Boston double blind placebo controlled trial on 17 women for several months, showed definite help to women after hysterectomy or menopause.  Independent: 5 May 1999

Pfizer - maker of Viagra - asks Edinburgh University to investigate ways that men with heart disease can take Viagra more safely after reports of deaths, and insistence by Federal authorities that Viagra bottles are clearly marked with health warnings for those taking nitrates for chest pain or high blood pressure.  Scottish Daily Record  6 May 1999

Viagra record of 2.9 million US scripts in first 3 months almost broken by Celebrex, new anti-arthritis drug launched in 1999 (2.5 million).  Scotsman: 21 April 1999

65% of Viagra users with no good results go on to try MUSE (alprostadil) if offered. 71% report improvement and 65% chose to continue with MUSE instead.  MUSE is made by Vivus Inc.  Trial of 285 people for whom Viagra did nothing.  Tulane University Medical School. MUSE is a synthetic prostaglandin inserted into the urethra using a special device and producing results for up to 60 minutes with no direct effect on the heart or blood pressure. M2 Presswire 10 May 1999

Viagra health risks:   apomorphine drug Uprima may be answer for some patients - if approved in US.   It targets brain cells rather than genitals directly. America Urology Meeting reported April 1999.

China passes Viagra in clinical tests.  China Online: 26 April 1999

UK courts told NHS Viagra restrictions "unlawful".  Daily Telegraph: 11 May 1999

Viagra on sale soon in Saudi Arabia. Riyadh Daily: 29 April 1999

Viagra on sale in Malaysia.  The Sun (Malaysia): 5 May 1999

South Africa:  Viagra on sale officially.  African News Service: 3 March 1999

Viagra US: Viagra deaths rise to 69 - new official Viagra warnings from the FDA about risks to those with heart disease - but  with 6 million scripts issued Viagra must still be considered low risk. Various sources:  26 November 1998

Viagra Australia: 67 Viagra deaths reported in first 4 months in US - with 300,000 Viagra scripts issued every week.   fresh warnings to Viagra patients about risk with pre-existing heart and blood pressure problems.  However Pfizer does not believe Viagra is hazardous.  Peter Thompson from the Cardiac Society of Australia agrees - as far as the heart is concerned.   Intense, unaccustomed physical activity in some Viagra users is blamed by some for deaths.  Australian Associated Press 2 Nov 1998

Viagra Australia: Viagra demand falls 66% in US in 3 months to Sept 1998. Pfizer faces $A15m Viagra lawsuit from a widow over death of 57 year old husband.  Advertiser: 30 Oct 1998

Viagra New Zealand: Fresh Viagra warnings over not mixing with nitrates - used for those with heart disease.  The Dominion 18 Nov 1998

Viagra UK: Consumers Association supports for Viagra on NHS in UK.  Viagra provides "more natural sexual experience" than injections, implants, inserted capsule or hydraulic and vacuum constriction methods. Extract on Viagra from Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.  NHS approves Viagra only where physical basis proved.  Many doctors are confused. Guardian: 17 November 1998

Viagra Holland: Viagra worth $15-25 million stolen from lorry in Netherlands.  Each Viagra tablet will fetch high prices on black market.  Reuters:  17 November 1998

Viagra US: Pfizer market value up 50% this year on Viagra success - value now $83 billion - 53 times earnings.  Evening Standard 17 Nov 1998

Viagra China: criminal offence to bring Viagra into China / Hong Kong.  South China Morning Post:  14 Nov 1998

Viagra US: Viagra sales $400 million in second quarter 1998 alone.  Viagra is 2nd biggest product for company globally, 1st in US.  New rush for lifestyle products - "better drugs for better living".

Viagra US: Viagra side effects - up to date list of minor Viagra problems: headache, flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, urinary tract infections, abnormal vision, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth.   Worries about lawsuits in Insurance Industry underwriting Viagra risk.   National Underwriter Property and Casualty: 16 Nov 1998

Viagra UK: Women want Viagra: 30% of Viagra calls to Birmingham clinic are from women who want it for their men.  One woman said "Take it or leave me". The Mirror 16 November 1998

Viagra Eire: Dublin night-clubs Viagra craze:  same price as Ecstasy, called "Poke".  London Viagra price is up to £40 a pill.  Some dealers in clubs have completely switched to Viagra - greater profits. The Mirror 16 November 1998

Viagra Lebanon: Substitutes for Viagra in Lebanon, India and elsewhere - craze for these designer performance enhancers but little evidence that they work. Independent: 16 November 1998

Viagra Eire / US: Irish pilots warned of Viagra risk: eye problems after Viagra can mean pilots can't read aircraft instrument panels, nor colored runway lights..  Irish Aviation Authority.  US Federal Aviation Authority also issued 6 hour limit between Viagra and flying.  The Mirror Group 15 November 1998

Viagra Malaysia: gets Internet Viagra:  not permitted for Viagra sales, but Internet is a legal loop-hole.  Ten 50mg tabs for $105 plus $46 courier charge.  Sunday Mail (Malaysia) 15 November 1998

Viagra New Zealand: Viagra arrives.  Nelson Mail: 13 November 1998

Viagra Japan: Viagra ban continues - smuggling increases. 33,500 pills seized since May 1998.  Manichi Daily News 13 November 1998

Viagra EU: Viagra given marketing approval for 15 nations in EU.  Manufacturing Chemist 31 October 1998