Science

Viagra can reduce Alzheimer's risk, new study claims

by The Curator

Updated June 02, 2025

Viagra can reduce Alzheimer's risk, new study claims

Viagra, the prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction, could potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 30-54%, that's according to a new medical study in America.

The Cleveland Clinic conducted research indicating that Viagra, known scientifically as sildenafil, and has reported its findings.

Viagra is FDA-approved for erectile dysfunction and it is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, under the name Revatio. But, it is now being explored by Cleveland Clinic for its neuroprotective properties.

Studies by the clinic highlighted an 18% reduction in Alzheimer's diagnosis among men prescribed erectile dysfunction medications.

Researchers meanwhile point to the potential of sildenafil in preventing or delaying Alzheimer's, which affects over 6 million Americans and nearly 1 million people in Britain, and some projections predict numbers could triple by 2050.

Notably, according to the clinic, the drug was found to lower neurotoxic tau protein levels, implicated in Alzheimer's, and enhance brain function through improved cell growth and reduced inflammation.

The company noted that these findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease among others, underline the importance of repurposing existing medications to combat neurological diseases rapidly and cost-effectively.

Explore Bias

Media reports focus mainly on the potential benefits of sildenafil for Alzheimer's treatment, reflecting an optimistic view of drug repurposing. While it appears to represents a promising avenue for research, there's potential for readers to overlook the need for comprehensive clinical trials to validate such findings.