Viagra is no doubt responsible for the conception of many infants, but now it's helping one baby, born with a serious heart defect, stay alive. Ten-month-old Cerys Small of Wales was born with a hole in her heart, along with no spleen and problems with her stomach and bowel. After undergoing three open heart surgeries, she still suffered from daily cyanotic spells, in which she turned blue while her body struggled to circulate blood.
But guess what's really great for improving blood circulation? That's right - Viagra!
'We were giggling when they told us what drug she would need," said her mother, Kerrie. "But what many people don't realize is that it was originally developed as a heart drug."
Exactly.
If you know the history of Viagra, you know that the drug was originally developed with the intention of treating hypertension and angina. Its erection-enhancing properties were just a side effect - albeit a very desirable and profitable one.
Even though it would technically be considered "off label" use, it's heart-warming to know that Viagra is helping some tiny patients in very dire medical need. The hope is that continued treatment with sildenafil will keep baby Cerys going until age three or older, when she'll be able to endure more major surgery.
