Health News
2005-09-28
Researchers
examine links between erectile dysfunction drugs and HIV
Researchers, drug
company employees, and government officials are meeting
this week in Maryland to discuss ho
Researchers, drug
company employees, and government officials are meeting
this week in Maryland to discuss how erectile dysfunction
drugs may be linked with HIV infections and other
sexually transmitted diseases, particularly among gay
and bisexual men, The Boston Globe reports.
Studies have
shown that gay men who use erectile dysfunction drugs like
Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis are much more likely to practice
unsafe sex and to be infected with HIV or another STD.
A study conducted in San Francisco showed that 31% of
a group of gay and bisexual men reported using Viagra
without medical supervision. That study also showed Viagra
use was linked with higher rates of risky sexual behavior
and STDs. Another study shows that recreational Viagra
users were twice as likely as nonusers to be
HIV-positive.
Many gay and
bisexual men also use erectile dysfunction drugs in
combination with illegal club drugs like crystal
methamphetamine or ecstasy to allow them to more
easily engage in sex, often with multiple partners,
researchers say.
Because of such
study data, Jeffrey Klausner of the San Francisco
Department of Public Health is calling on drug companies to
curb free samples and limit refills of the drugs. He
also has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration
to classify the drugs as controlled substances, which
he believes will help cut down on illegal distribution of
the medications, and is calling for the drugs’
makers to conduct educational programs for health care
providers and consumers to highlight the links between
the drugs and risky sexual behavior. (Advocate.com)
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