Jet Lag - Another reason for having Viagra

Travelers struck by jet lag may now be able to better their position by using Viagra, Argentinean scientists stated after a study of testing the drug on animals as featured in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers, led by Dr Diego Golumbek from the Quilmes National University in Buenos Aires, tested the drug sildenafil citrate alias Viagra (as less as 70 micrograms) on hamsters and discovered that they adjusted 50% faster to their light-dark time shifts than their fellow hamsters that were not injected with the drug.

Lead researcher, Patricia Agostino and her colleagues created an artificial jet lag situation for the animals by switching on the lights 6 hours earlier than normal.

The only drawbacks of the experiment were that the drug worked in line with light therapy, by switching on the lights earlier than before (as there were no changes in activity when used without shifts in light), and designed to aid objects flying in the eastward direction only.

Scientists, based on the study’s findings, are speculating that the drug might help frequent travelers and night shift employees to recover better from their disturbed sleep cycles.

An extensive study for use of the drug on humans is to be done to find out its potential impact and people shouldn’t rush to apply the findings of the study as it might have adverse side effects like low blood pressure, Golombek suggested.

"A full-scale clinical trial has to be performed in humans, which is indeed quite expensive and time-consuming. Jet-lag trials might involve laboratory simulations, but we also need 'the real thing,' which means testing pharmacological treatments on long-haul air travel.” he added.

The drug worked by disrupting a molecule called cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) which is responsible for regulating our “circadian cycle” or our body clock i.e. higher activity during the day and less at night, Golombek explained how Viagra could help recover from jetlag.

Professor Robert Lucas, from Manchester University also agreed with the possibility of Viagra being useful for humans to correct their sleep cycles, but it needs more research before actual implementation.

"We do need more effective therapies for jet lag and for sleep difficulties that occur as a consequence of shift work”, he said.

Viagra, developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, is mainly used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotency) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Drugs like tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) also perform these functions.

Its common side effects include sneezing, headache, flushing, dyspepsia, prolonged erections, palpitations and photophobia. Visual changes including blurring of vision and a curious bluish tinge have also been reported.