In 2018, researchers from the Netherlands had to halt a study involving Viagra (sildenafil) and pregnant women after 11 babies died due to respiratory conditions possibly linked to the drug.
The study was carried out at the Amsterdam University’s Academic Medical Center (AMC) and in 11 Dutch hospitals, which involved administering sildenafil to pregnant mothers whose unborn babies were severely undeveloped in the womb.
The researchers thought that since Viagra increases blood flow, it would improve placental blood supply. They wanted to see whether the little blue pill could “stimulate the growth of the unborn child” who had a bad prognosis.
The AMC said, “The first results of the current study showed that there may be adverse effects for the baby after birth.”
The study involved 183 pregnant women, with one group receiving sildenafil and the other a placebo.
Of the 93 women who took sildenafil, 19 saw their babies die after birth, with 11 deaths possibly because of high blood pressure in the lungs – a condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) – which may be linked to the drug. However, six other babies survived even after developing the same lung condition.
The center said sildenafil is sometimes recommended to pregnant women in other nations, especially those whose babies face developmental delays in the womb. AMC’s researchers are still analyzing the currently available data.
Another study, published online in 2019 in the journal PLOS One, found that Viagra could be linked to increasing fetal weight at birth in placental insufficiency, according to NIH, even though more research is needed to introduce this PDE5-inhibitor into pregnancy.
Viagra, developed by pharma giant Pfizer, is commonly advised for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It helps men to have erections hard enough for sexual intercourse. It is a prescription drug and should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Under the brand name Revatio, sildenafil is prescribed for the treatment of PAH.
Viagra, per se, is not meant for pregnant women because it could be unsafe for them. Pregnant women require a risk and benefit assessment before taking the ED drug.
During pregnancy, sildenafil should be used only when clearly needed, according to WebMD.
Since PAH is a serious condition that can harm pregnant women as well as their unborn babies, doctors may advise sildenafil. Women should talk to their doctor about the risk and benefits of using sildenafil if they are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant.
