Trenton, New Jersey: Drugmaker Pfizer Inc said on Thursday that the European commission has approved treating children with its medicine for a rare, deadly lung condition — a drug better known as Viagra.
The drug, Revatio, was approved in Europe about six years ago for treating adults with what's called pulmonary arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure in lung arteries. Now it can be given to children aged one to 17.
The medicine is better known as Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug that quickly became a blockbuster for New York-based Pfizer after it was approved in 1998.
Viagra, known chemically as sildenafil citrate, was originally developed to treat blood pressure problems. But when some men participating in clinical tests reported a welcome but unexpected side effect — better erections — researchers switched tracks and began focusing on it as an impotence treatment.
A recent study in children found the formulation in Revatio reduced blood pressure in lung arteries and helped them breathe and function better.
The drug, Revatio, was approved in Europe about six years ago for treating adults with what's called pulmonary arterial hypertension, or high blood pressure in lung arteries. Now it can be given to children aged one to 17.
The medicine is better known as Viagra, the erectile dysfunction drug that quickly became a blockbuster for New York-based Pfizer after it was approved in 1998.
Viagra, known chemically as sildenafil citrate, was originally developed to treat blood pressure problems. But when some men participating in clinical tests reported a welcome but unexpected side effect — better erections — researchers switched tracks and began focusing on it as an impotence treatment.
A recent study in children found the formulation in Revatio reduced blood pressure in lung arteries and helped them breathe and function better.
