Man's Penis Amputated after Viagra Overdose led to Week-long Erection

A South American man who intentionally overdosed on the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra had his penis amputated after it started showing signs of gangrene.

The man, identified as Gentil Ramírez Polanía, reportedly tried to impress his new girlfriend by taking more than the recommended dose of Viagra. By taking more than the recommended dose, however, Polanía found himself with an erection that lasted for several days.

Doctors in Gigante, Colombia, said the 66-year-old farmer's penis was inflamed, fractured and showing signs of gangrene, according to The Independent, which cited the local newspaper La Nacion.

Gangrene is the death or decay of body tissue caused by lack of blood supply.

Dr. Antonio Correa told the newspaper that the man was complaining of pain and had bruising on his testicles and penis. Doctors said to keep the gangrene from spreading to other parts of his body they had no choice but to amputate Polanía's penis.

The medical team at Naiva hospital, where Polanía was treated, warned locals to not use penis-enhancing drugs without prescription.

A persistent and painful erection of the penis, officially known as priapism, is one of the possible side effects of an overdose of Viagra or other brands of the drug sildenafil citrate.

Viagra's association in popular culture as a sex drug has led to increasing instances of it's recreational use, according to a 2003 study.