Pilots may fly high on Viagra
2008-02-07 14:00
Jerusalem - It might harm their reputation, but Israel's air force is considering giving its combat pilots Viagra to improve their performance - in the air.
A recent study conducted by Israeli doctors among mountain climbers in Africa found a link between erectile dysfunction drugs and improved performance in high altitudes, the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot reported on Thursday.
The active ingredient in the drugs was found to make climbers perform better in an environment with less oxygen, which causes fatigue and dizziness.
This has led army doctors to consider giving jet fighter pilots - who can fly at altitudes of up to 15 000m - the same drug, the report said.
"The Viagra family of drugs is considered effective in these conditions because when there is a long shortage in oxygen it leads to high blood pressure in the lungs, and the drugs help fight that," the report quoted military medical sources as saying.