Could a viagra drug shield the brain from stroke damage?
NCT ID NCT03855332
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether sildenafil, a drug used for erectile dysfunction, can reduce harmful pulsations in brain blood flow in 75 people who had a stroke or mini-stroke due to small vessel disease. Participants took sildenafil, a similar drug (cilostazol), or a placebo for three weeks each. The goal was to see if these drugs could lower the pressure spikes hitting the brain, potentially slowing the progression of small vessel disease, which affects millions and causes stroke and dementia.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- sildenafil
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward the first effective treatment for small vessel disease, a common cause of stroke and dementia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (75 people) testing a short-term effect on a measurement, not on long-term outcomes. The drug may not reduce disease progression or could cause side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Oxford
Oxford, Oxon, OX39DU, United Kingdom
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