Israeli air force ponders Viagra for high-flying pilots

[dapaterson]

JERUSALEM - Israeli fighter pilots may soon be receiving Viagra-style pills to help them to perform better at greater heights, according to a study by military officials released yesterday.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=e08e5aea-c7c4-4a0d-8402-1a2c7f8fb8ef

... and let the fun begin...


Mods:  I suspect this one might end up in Radio Chatter...

 

[Blackadder1916]

All the jokes aside about fighter pilots and their need for (or constant state of) erection, this piece gives a slightly different take on the official Israeli position.

Anti-impotence pill could boost high flying pilots
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/080207/odds/odd_israel_pilots_dc

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A drug used to treat impotence could help Israeli fighter pilots operate at high altitude, the Israeli military's official magazine reported in its latest issue.

It said a retired general plans to present to the air force the results of a study he conducted on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania where he found that tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis tablets, improved breathing in a thin atmosphere.

"The study's findings justify the continuation of tests with drugs of this type in low oxygen environments," an unnamed air force officer told Bamahaneh, the military's weekly magazine.

An army spokeswoman said that there were no plans to use any such drug and a statement said the phenomenon of chronic oxygen starvation experienced by mountaineers and the immediate oxygen starvation which pilots suffer at high altitude are different.

"(Because of the different circumstances) there is no significance for medical treatment of any drug for pilots in the Israel Air Force ... and it has no intention of using any form of drug," the statement read.

(Writing by Joseph Nasr and Ori Lewis; Editing by Stephen Weeks)

But there may be something to this proposal.  Many drugs were originally developed for one pupose but clinical study found that they were suitable for treatment of other conditions, sometimes the alternates becoming the prime focus of the drug. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) was originally researched and developed by Pfizer as a means to help men who suffered from frequent chest pains.  Used as a heart medicine this drug showed no successful results and R&D came to a halt.  Later study of the clinical trials indicated that it could be useful (and highly profitable) in treatment of ED.

That further study may indicate any benefit of this particular drug for use by pilots is highly speculative.  As currently prescribed these drugs are generally contraindicated for use by pilots while operating aircraft.
http://www.leftseat.com/medcat1.htm

Erectile Dysfunction - Cialis (Tadalafil) is acceptable if used 36 or more hrs before flight. Levitra (Vardenafil hydrochloride) and Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) are approved by the FAA (acceptable to fly 6 hrs after use).

Cialis Side Effects & Drug Interactions

Clinical Studies Experience
Ophthalmologic— blurred vision, changes in color vision, conjunctivitis (including conjunctival hyperemia), eye pain, lacrimation increase, swelling of eyelids

Otologic — sudden decrease or loss of hearing, tinnitus  . . .

Post Marketing Experience
Ophthalmologic — visual field defect, retinal vein occlusion, retinal artery occlusion

The initial study as reported in the articles was in mountaineers; there may be a better focus for further study on the need and usefulness of this type of drug by ground force soldiers operating at higher altitude (Afghanistan?).

 

[Blackadder1916]

The initial study as reported in the articles was in mountaineers; there may be a better focus for further study on the need and usefulness of this type of drug by ground force soldiers operating at higher altitude (Afghanistan?).

I knew I wasn't bright enough to be the first to make this connection.

Indian Armed Forces Medical Services - High Altitude Medical Research Centre

Current Projects :- Few of the important projects being carried out in different high altitude are as follows :-

(a) Sildenafil as a newer treatment modality for HAPO. 

 

[CougarKing]

Here's to hoping those IAF pilots don't pull the wrong "stick" or "handle" when they need to do so.  ;D

 

[IBM]

LOL..HAHAHA... ;D

Gives a whole new meaning to "Locked and ready".  ;D

 

[Staff Weenie]

I wonder if they've developed a special G-Suit with a codpiece to help out - can't imagine the pain of too much blood flow in certain region during high-G turns....

 

[LieutenantHoward]

Here's to hoping those IAF pilots don't pull the wrong "stick" or "handle" when they need to do so.   ;D

haha, funny

 

[I_am_John_Galt]

Viagra for fighter pilots: what could possibly go wrong!?!

 

[LieutenantHoward]

Viagra for fighter pilots: what could possibly go wrong!?!

in the event of an emergency they jerk to the left