VIAGRA FINDS FAVOUR WITH RAVERS

But Mixing It With Club Drugs Is Risky

Calgary - Nightclub and rave cultures are mixing Viagra with
illicit drugs despite warnings that users could be setting themselves
up for heart attacks, some health experts say.

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer introduced Viagra, an erectile
dysfunction drug, in Canada more than a year ago and sales have topped
$1 billion.

But it's not just men with medical problems who are using the drug.
Through online sales, Viagra is coming into favour at the all-night
dance parties called raves.

"I've heard of the recreational use of it in Calgary by younger
people," said Dr. Curtis Bell, a physician sub-contracted by Pfizer to
lecture on the drug's use in Alberta.

"Its attraction lies in the user being able to have more prolonged
erections and hence have sex for a longer duration."

Detective Steve Walton, of the Calgary police drug squad, said he has
seized quantities of the prescribed medication in other illegal drug
busts.

"Calgary seems to copycat the Toronto culture and I expect there to be
a surge of the drug here over the summer," he said.

Rave drugs such as ecstasy impair male sexual function. It's known as
the "hug drug," since it increases the desire to touch and be touched,
even though it reduces the libido. But used in combination with Viagra
it can increase sexual desire.

Pfizer warns against using Viagra with ecstasy or with "poppers" (amyl
and butyryl nitrate).

"Viagra is not an aphrodisiac and has no effect on the libido," said
Don Sancton, director of corporate affairs for Pfizer, Canada. "It
should only be used by people with erectile dysfunction and treated
with all the respect given a prescription drug."

British scientist Judith Aldridge said Viagra in combination with
these drugs may lead to dangerously low blood pressure levels.