THE active drug in Viagra has been linked to 19 deaths in the UK last year, according to a report.

Sildenafi - the active competent - is also currently linked to seven fatalities this year, according to the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

A majority of the deaths were caused by cardiac problems.

Britain became the first country to allow the little blue pills to be bought without prescription in March.

Sales of Viagra reportedly leapt 60 per cent after pharmacists were given the ability to hand out the pill to anyone over 18 who it was deemed appropriate to take it.

Since 1998, 166 deaths have been linked to Sildenaf, with an additional 824 cases with serious side effects recorded.

The highest fatality rate was in 1999, when 44 people died.

Last year had the third highest number of deaths since the drug's introduction, which averaged eight per year.

Viagra side effects include gastrointestinal issues, blurry vision, nervous system disorders and breathing problems.

A majority of those affected were men in their 50s and 60s.

Horror stories started to emerge after the drug's legalisation, from a five day erection to needing six ice packs to ease the swelling.

Experts noted many were now also buying Viagra to spice up their sex life, rather than from any medical need.

Manufacturer Pfizer produces Viagra Connect, which the company said was the first pharmacy medicine for erectile dysfunction to be made available without prescription.

In a statement a spokesman for Pfizer said: 'Patient safety is, and will always be, Pfizer's utmost priority.

"We work with regulatory authorities around the world to continuously evaluate and monitor safety for each and every Pfizer medicine through ongoing clinical research, analysis and surveillance."

She said it was important to note that the MHRA date included data for all suspected adverse reactions related to sildenafil and is not limited to Viagra.

"Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is an important treatment option for men with erectile dysfunction, a medical condition that is estimated to affect up to 21 per cent of men – equivalent to 4.3m men in the UK.

The spokesperson said Viagra had a well-established efficacy and tolerability profile.

"From its introduction in 1998 to 2016, over 64m men worldwide were treated with sildenafil citrate.

"The safety profile of sildenafil citrate is based on over 9,570 patients in 74 double blind placebo-controlled clinical studies as well as post-marketing surveillance that has been gathered over 10 years."
Pharmacists can still refuse to offer Viagra if the recipient recently had a stroke or a heart attack, or has low blood pressure.

A four pack costs £19.99.

Guidelines recommend caution when prescribing it for men with any penile disorders, stomach ulcers or heart disease so again this should be evaluated with a GP.

Viagra was originally developed as a drug to combat chest pain associated with heart disease, because it widens blood vessels.

Some users may be attracted to taking the drug despite not strictly needing any help in the bedroom in the hope of lasting longer.