The stories of some drugs reveal that medical discoveries do not always go according to plan, as a drug may be developed to treat a particular disease, and then doctors discover that it is more effective in treating a completely different condition.
This approach is known as "drug repurposing," a method that has contributed to providing effective and less expensive treatments for a number of health problems.
In the field of men's health, three drugs have emerged as some of the most famous examples of this, after moving from their original uses to widespread treatments for erectile dysfunction and hair loss: "Sildenafil", "Finasteride" and "Minoxidil".
From treatment for angina to "Viagra"
In the early 1990s, researchers were testing sildenafil to treat angina, a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.
The drug works by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow through inhibiting an enzyme known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5).
Although its results in treating angina were not as good as hoped, researchers noted that participants in clinical trials reported a clear improvement in erectile function.
This unexpected discovery led to the development of the first oral treatment for erectile dysfunction, which was launched in 1998 under the trade name "Viagra" and became one of the most famous drugs in the world.
Sildenafil is not only used today to treat erectile dysfunction, but is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease that affects the blood vessels in the lungs.
Its side effects are usually mild, such as headache, facial redness, and nasal congestion, but it may interact with some heart medications, so it is necessary to consult a doctor before using it.
Finasteride was originally developed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in men as they age.
The drug works by lowering levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is responsible for stimulating prostate growth.
During clinical trials, researchers observed that some patients began to lose less hair than usual, and some even experienced new hair growth.
This discovery prompted researchers to test the drug to treat hereditary baldness in men, later becoming one of the most widely used treatments for hair loss.
Finasteride helps protect hair follicles from the hormonal effects that cause them to gradually shrink, which helps to preserve hair and stimulate its growth in some users.
Despite its effectiveness, it may cause uncommon side effects, including decreased libido or erectile dysfunction, and some users have reported psychological symptoms such as depression.
A treatment for high blood pressure has become an option for combating baldness.
Beyond improving sexual performance: A new medical benefit of Viagra
Beyond improving sexual performance: A new medical benefit of Viagra
Minoxidil was originally used during the 1960s to treat severe cases of high blood pressure.
During its use, doctors observed hair growth in a number of patients, including in areas where hair did not normally grow.
This effect attracted the attention of researchers, so a topical version of the drug was developed that is used directly on the scalp and was later approved for the treatment of hair loss.
Minoxidil is believed to help stimulate hair follicles by improving blood flow to them and prolonging the natural hair growth phase, thus increasing hair density in some users.
Some people may notice a temporary increase in hair loss during the first few weeks of treatment, a normal phenomenon that often reflects the start of a new hair growth cycle.
Minoxidil is now one of the most common treatments for hair loss in men and women, and its side effects are often limited to scalp irritation or dryness.
Researchers believe that some major medical discoveries may not always come from developing new drugs, but from discovering new uses for existing drugs, many of which may still be waiting for someone to discover their latent potential.
The report was prepared by Deepa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in pharmacy practice at Kingston University.
