Yes, it does. In several clinical studies, Viagra was effective in treating ED. In these studies, men who used the drug had an improved ability to have and keep erections that allowed for successful sex.

Across the studies, between 43% and 83% of men who took Viagra had improved erections. (These rates varied depending on the cause of their ED and the dosage of Viagra being used.) In comparison, improved erections occurred in 10% to 24% of men who took a placebo (no active drug).

Viagra uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Viagra to treat certain conditions. Viagra may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Viagra for ED

Viagra is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in males ages 18 years and older. With ED, you’re not able to get and keep an erection that’s firm enough to have sex. This condition is a common problem that’s experienced by many men.

ED can be caused by several different factors. These include psychological or emotional problems, such as:

• • performance anxiety
  • relationship problems
  • depression
  • stress

But ED may also be caused by physical problems, such as:

• • heart disease or high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • high cholesterol
  • multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • injury to your spinal cord

Viagra increases blood flow to your penis, which helps you have and maintain an erection. However, the drug itself doesn’t give you an erection. It only works if you’re sexually aroused.

Effectiveness for ED

In several clinical studies, Viagra was effective in treating ED. In these studies, men who used the drug had an improved ability to have and keep erections that allowed for successful sex.

Across the studies, between 43% and 83% of men who took Viagra had improved erections. (These success rates varied depending on the cause of their ED and the dosage of Viagra being used.) In comparison, improved erections occurred in 10% to 24% of men who took a placebo (no active drug).

Effectiveness of Viagra at different doses

Some studies looked at the effect of different doses of Viagra. These studies, which involved 1,797 men, lasted up to 6 months. Improved erections were reported in:

• • 63% of men who took 25 mg of Viagra
  • 74% of men who took 50 mg of Viagra
  • 82% of men who took 100 mg of Viagra
  • 24% of men who took a placebo (no active drug)

Effectiveness of Viagra for ED with different causes

Other studies have looked at the effect of Viagra in men whose ED had different causes.

For example, one study specifically looked at men with ED that was related to complications of diabetes. Improved erections were reported in:

• • 57% of men who took Viagra
  • 10% of men who took a placebo

One study only involved men with ED that resulted from a spinal cord injury. Improved erections were reported in:

• • 83% of men who took Viagra
  • 12% of men who took a placebo

Also, using information from multiple studies, researchers looked at how well Viagra worked in men with ED that developed after they’d had surgery to remove their prostate gland. Improved erections were reported in:

• • 43% of men who took Viagra
  • 15% of men who took a placebo

In addition, men whose ED had psychological causes were specifically looked at as part of one study. Improved erections were reported in:

• • 84% of men who took Viagra
  • 26% of men who took a placebo

Off-label use for Viagra

In addition to the use described above, Viagra may be used off-label. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved for one condition is given for a different condition that’s not approved. Below is an example of an off-label use for Viagra.

Viagra for Raynaud’s disease

Viagra isn’t approved to treat Raynaud’s disease, but sometimes it’s used off-label for this condition.

With Raynaud’s disease, the blood vessels in your hands and feet spasm and temporarily become narrowed. These narrowed blood vessels restrict blood supply to your fingers or toes. This can cause your fingers and toes to look white and feel cold, painful, or numb. Episodes of spasm can be triggered by cold temperatures or emotional stress.

Viagra works to treat Raynaud’s disease by relaxing and widening certain blood vessels in your body. One review of studies found that PDE5 inhibitors, including Viagra, can improve Raynaud’s disease. (PDE5 inhibitors describes a certain class of drugs. Medications in the same class of drugs work in a similar way inside your body.)

In fact, in the studies, these drugs reduced the number of Raynaud’s disease episodes people had. And the drugs also decreased how long the episodes lasted.

If you have questions about using Viagra for Raynaud’s disease, talk with your doctor.

Viagra and children

Viagra is only approved for use in adult males with ED. It hasn’t been studied in people younger than 18 years of age.