Are Testosterone Drugs More Popular than Viagra?

Bloomberg data reports that the sale of testosterone medications have more than doubled since 2006 to 5.6 million last year. The increase in the sale of testosterone replacement therapies may provide treatment to the estimated nearly 14 million men older than age 45 in the U.S. who have low levels of testosterone. Sales of testosterone drugs, such as Eli Lilly’s Axiron and Abbott Laboratories’ AndroGel, are expected to reach $5 billion to 2017.

How do such testosterone replacement medications compare to erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra? IMS Health states that 2011 sales of erectile dysfunction sales totaled $5.3 billion, while Bloomberg data reports that 2011 sales of testosterone treatment drugs totaled $1.6 billion in comparison.

Low testosterone levels can lead to loss of sex drive, depression, and reduced tissue and bone mass. Testosterone medications can increase libido, but can also lead to blood clots, prostate tumors, liver damage, and infertility, which is important information for those men seeking testosterone aids to bolster sex drive in hopes of family planning.

Eli Lilly’s Axiron is applied under the arm, just like deodorant. The company started a widespread marking campaign last year to educate men about the causes of low testosterone levels and how to seek treatment. Abbott Laboratories’ treatment is coined AndroGel; Abbott only promotes FDA-approved use of its product for men who doctors have diagnosed with low testosterone levels. Such testosterone medications sales’ may be booming, but they have not yet reached the level of erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra, and before starting testosterone replacement therapy men need to speak with their doctor or health care provider.

Use Common Sense When Purchasing Medications Online

For many individuals making a purchase of medications online is much more convenient than going to the local pharmacy. While this may be true, you need to use caution when buying your medications online so you’re not purchasing counterfeit drugs. Many individuals see television commercials and learn that their daily medications can be purchased online for a better price and more conveniently so they pick up the phone or go online. While this is not an issue for the most part, you do need to use caution if you’re making a purchase for the first time.

In some cases when men visit their doctor and discover they have erectile dysfunction they are typically prescribed Cialis to address their ED. Some men simply might not want to purchase the drug from the local pharmacists. In many cases they will go online for their medication purchase. When doing this, make certain you do your due diligence and only purchase from reputable online sellers.

The internet has opened up many avenues to consumers in the form of convenience and buying prescriptions online is part of a growing wave of online purchases taking place. In addition to the increase in purchases of online medications comes the rise in counterfeit drug sellers taking advantage of shoppers that are looking to save money. What is a counterfeit drug? One that is sold illegally under a brand name or one that has incorrect formulations or that contains no active ingredients. If you’re purchasing a medication such as Cialis and are getting a counterfeit drug it can lead to your not being able to address your ED or one that could have too much medication in it and could negatively impact your heart. No one wants to take chances with purchasing medication that won’t address the situation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the number of counterfeit drug resellers online has been on the rise since 2000 and that it will likely continue to rise. Also, as the number of shoppers increases so too will the number of counterfeiters willing to sell fake drugs to them. One way to tell if the drug you’re taking is suspicious is to look online for a photo of what the drug is supposed to look like. Also when you buy medication from the pharmacist the bottle now typically lists the pills shape and color so you can make certain what is in the bottle is what you’re supposed to be taking.

While many people purchase drugs online and have no issue, you need to be cautious and do your research. Only buy from a reputable online seller and be sure that you are buying safely.

Viagra Ingredient Shrinks Growths in Kids

Viagra and Cialis are two of the most popular drugs in the world today, accounting for millions of prescriptions and users. Each treats erectile dysfunction in men, though the active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, has other uses. First used to treat heart patients, researchers discovered later on that Viagra was able to help impotent men get erections. This led to the development of specific dosages and drug regimens for males who suffered from E.D. Now, it appears that yet another use for Viagra is at hand. Some research has shown that the drug slows the progression of disfiguring growths in children.

Though all the studies currently being done on this aspect of Viagra are in the early stages, it could bring hope to many young patients who have nowhere else to turn. Unfortunately, the treatment option for children who suffer from the disfiguring disease is expensive. Nor is anyone saying that sildenafil is a cure for the malady. The lymphatic malformations, as they are properly called, lead to overly large vessels and fluid retention vestibules in small children and babies. No one, even in the scientific community, knows what causes babies and children to develop severe lymphatic malformations, but the theory is that it has something to do with clogged lymph systems in their tiny bodies.

The growths can become quite large, even to the point that they block entire areas of the respiratory system in victims. Most of the time, the only viable option is surgery. Unfortunately, even that is impossible in many cases because of where the blockage is, or how severe it is.

Only three children have been involved in the informal study with sildenafil so far, but results have been very promising. Researchers are optimistic that even though the treatment does not completely eliminate the growths, the drug might make surgery easier and safer for those who have the disease. The concern now is to get the cost down, as the typical regimen for a victim has a price tag in the region of $1000 per month.