A study using Viagra in a mental health practice

The clinical responses of 58 men who were given Viagra between April and December 1998 in a psychiatric outpatient setting were tracked through 2 follow-up visits. Four categories of success and 3 categories of failure are defined to describe the outcomes. Although 43% had ideal outcomes--cure or uncomplicated drug-dependent successes--50% again were able to have intercourse and 63% experienced improved erections. Seventeen percent of the original sample did not benefit from the drug; 21% were lost to follow-up. This intent-to-treat study adds more evidence of Viagra's effectiveness and further clarifies the need to focus on psychodynamic considerations when trying to assist the majority of patients who did not have ideal outcomes.