Doctors Say Viagra Is A Lifesaver For Some Children

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --    Viagra is one of the best-selling drugs ever, the sex drug is approved for use in certain men.

So you might be surprised to learn children are also being given prescriptions for Viagra.

The little blue pill that millions of men credit with saving their sex lives, is now saving the lives of children with congenital heart disease.

"I had to go to the hospital more often," said 14-year-old Andrew Rodebaugh, who lives with his family in Northeast Philadelphia.

Andrew was born with a heart defect, and as a baby had three open-heart surgeries and a series of complications.

Andrew was left with circulation issues that impacted his lungs.

Doctors at CHOP have found that Viagra is the most effective treatment for children like Andrew.

"It can allow for blood to flow through the lungs much more efficiently," said Dr. Goldberg.

Viagra was first tested to lower blood pressure, when it was discovered to raise something else.

It doesn't work that way on kids.

"So our children who get Viagra for congenital heart-disease don't have erectile dysfunction," Dr. Goldberg said. "So it doesn't have the same effects that it would have on older men with erectile dysfunction."

Dr. David Goldberg says talking to parents about putting kids on Viagra can be a little tricky.

"It has provided a lot of comical relief in a very difficult life," said Andrew's mom.

"It comes in the mail," Andrew's dad said. "So I don't have to go to pick up my son's medicine, cause that could be interesting."

They've gotten used to all the joking.  Andrew has been on Viagra for 7 years now.

"I feel much better," Andrew said. "I mean, I don't have a lot of problems."

"He just gets healthier and stronger all of the time," said Andrew's mom. "It's dramatic!"

The family says they're relieved that Viagra has turned out to be such a multi-talented drug.

"I'm so thankful it's been an option, but it's been funny too," Andrew's mom said.

Doctors say Viagra can be prescribed off-label for both boys and girls who have heart and lung problems.

CHOP is doing more research on the treatment and is testing a new Viagra-like drug designed specifically for those children.