face it...ED drugs are funny!

I've been studying for the huge pharmacology final on Tuesday, and I just have to laugh every time I come across the section on phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.  These are the drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction; you know, the ones advertised in the commercials that play late at night?  (I suppose I should be a little bit more sensitive.  After all, ridicule is a big reason many people don't share embarrassing problems with their doctors.)  However, there are some disorders that are just funny.  ED is one of them.  Even the drug names are funny.  As my friend Mindi puts it, "Does anyone else find the drug name tadalafil funny?  Like as in, 'TADA!' Look what I have in my pants!"  This prompted a facebook discussion about other funny ED drug names.  Matt suggested "mycoxafloppin" and Jana mentioned "ibepokin".  HILARIOUS!  (PS - Tadalafil is the generic name of a real drug.  The brand name for tadalafil is Cialis.  Obviously, the other two are fictional.)

Studying these drugs reminded me of an interesting story that was mentioned in class.  Did you know that the FAA has forbade airline pilots from taking viagra (or levitra or cialis) in the hours before flying a plane?  (Why they would need to take it before flying is beyond me, but nevertheless...)  The problem is that one of the side-effects of the drug is a bluish tint to vision.  This is a problem for pilots for one big reason.  The lights on an active runaway are white.  The lights on a taxiway are blue.  If a pilot on viagra drives his plane onto a runway thinking it is a taxiway because the white runway lights look blue, there could be some problems.  Don't believe me?  Read here...

And now back to studying.  Eventually, I will post a life update.  I do have some interesting things that have happened...the PFM relay, Halloween parties, presenting my research.  But it will all have to wait until after finals.  Studying takes precedence.