Can Viagra Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Viagra® is well-known for its … well, uplifting abilities. But the famed “little blue pill” commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction may have another power: The prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

A Cleveland Clinic-led study shows that people who took sildenafil — more commonly known by the brand name Viagra — were 30% to 54% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

Genetic researcher Feixiong Cheng, PhD, explains how the medication may help protect brain cells from dementia and prevent gradual declines in memory, thinking, learning and organizing skills.

How Viagra might lower risk of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, explains Dr. Cheng. There’s not one single driving cause behind the neurodegenerative disorder affecting more than 6 million Americans and 55 million people worldwide.

But Alzheimer’s comes with distinctive characteristics — including the build-up of certain neurotoxic proteins in the brain. These proteins can disrupt the flow of neurons critical to brain function.

Researchers found that using Viagra lowered the levels of one of those problematic proteins, the tau protein.

“Mechanistically, Viagra targets Alzheimer’s biology for a neuroprotective effect,” says Dr. Cheng.

Improved blood flow triggered by Viagra also improves overall brain function and reduces inflammation, factors that can help guard against the sort of neural brain decline associated with Alzheimer’s.

How effective is Viagra at preventing Alzheimer’s?

The study led by Dr. Cheng shows an association between Viagra use and reduced occurrence of Alzheimer’s. It found that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s dropped 30% to 54% in people who took Viagra.

The review involved analyzing millions of de-identified insurance claims from two independent patient databases to look for connections between Viagra prescriptions and Alzheimer’s diagnoses.

But while the results are promising, Dr. Cheng cautions that it’s still early in the research process. Randomized clinical trials are needed to validate any treatment effects.

“We need to do more to confirm any potential benefits to patients,” he says.

Could Viagra help women with Alzheimer’s?

The study found that women who took Viagra for pulmonary hypertension also seemed to gain a protective benefit against Alzheimer’s. But the sample size was small, and more research is needed, notes Dr. Cheng.

Is Viagra safe to use for Alzheimer’s?

Sildenafil has proven to be a safe medication since gaining approval to treat erectile dysfunction more than two decades ago, shares Dr. Cheng. (As mentioned, it’s also used for pulmonary hypertension where it’s sold under the brand name Revatio®.)

That successful history makes sildenafil an ideal candidate for drug repurposing, or the use of an existing medication for new purposes. This approach is becoming increasingly common as researchers search for solutions to health needs.

Many clinical trials for the development of new Alzheimer’s medications addressing neurotoxic proteins have failed in the past decade, fueling the review of existing drugs to find a potential treatment.

“We’re very excited about the possibilities for this drug repurposing,” reports Dr. Cheng.

But even if research shows sildenafil can be used for Alzheimer’s, the medication might not be ideal for everyone. It’s often not recommended if you have specific conditions (such as low blood pressure) or take certain medications. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide guidance.

Can you get prescribed Viagra for Alzheimer’s?

That’s not happening at the moment — and it won’t until additional research proves that it’s a safe and effective treatment. Clinical trials may take another two to three years or longer, estimates Dr. Cheng.

Researchers also need to consider issues such as medication dosage and frequency.

“There is complexity to this sort of research,” explains Dr. Cheng. “But the hope is that sometime in the next few years, we find a medication — whether it’s Viagra or something else — that can reduce the likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s.”