Viagra 'may reduce MS symptoms'

Sexual dysfunction treatment Viagra could significantly reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, according to a new study, potentially making patients less dependent on assisted living.

Research published in journal Acta Neuropathologica found Viagra to drastically reduce the symptoms of multiple sclerosis in animal models with the condition.

An almost complete recovery was seen to occur in 50 per cent of the models after eight days of treatment with the drug.

Authors are confident that human trials will soon be carried out, given that the drug has already been used to treat sexual dysfunction in some multiple sclerosis patients.

This follows a study at St Michael's Hospital which revealed that under half of multiple sclerosis patients adhere to drug therapies after two years.

Just 44 per cent of patients were found to be regularly taking their disease-modifying drugs after two years, despite the fact the medication is used to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis and helps to reduce and control relapses.

Read about Barchester expertise in offering multiple sclerosis support.