Two Kansas City ophthalmologists may be on the trail of an unintentional breakthrough. Patients have reported that use of a common glaucoma eye drop containing a beta blocker has repeatedly “stopped migraine headaches in their tracks.” The research has now begun in earnest and migraine sufferers should be optimistic.
Speaking of which, did you know that when Pfizer Laboratories was testing a drug called sildenafil, for its ability to lower blood pressure, they made an unexpected discovery—the researchers couldn’t get test subjects to part with the drug. “One thing that was found during those trials,” Dr. Brian Klee, senior medical director of Pfizer, told the French news agency, AFP, “is that people didn’t want to give the medications back because of the side effect.” That “side effect” has made the drug company a massive fortune under the name Viagra.
Brand names of the drops were not mentioned, it is probably too early in the findings, but if you wish to know more information, call your ophthalmologist and make an appointment.
It is interesting to note that the unintended consequences of this discovery may not be as “stimulating” as Viagra’s, or quite as lucrative, but the effect on people’s lives would be profound. And the commercials should be much easier to endure.
--Sarah Hagerty
