When it comes to medication, color is a key factor in branding. For example, blue is the color of Viagra, a popular medication for erectile dysfunction. This color has helped to make the medication recognizable and memorable.
Since Pfizer’s patent on Viagra expired, other medications containing sildenafil have been produced and marketed by several different companies. However, the blue color of Viagra is likely to remain unchanged.
Blue
The little blue pill is an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment that millions of men take to improve their performance in the bedroom. The drug is known by its generic name, sildenafil, and it has become a cultural icon thanks to its effectiveness and association with sex.
Choosing the right color for a pill might seem like a trivial decision, but it can make a big difference in how a new medication is marketed and perceived by consumers. As Jacob Bell explains for BioPharma Dive, the process of selecting a color for a drug can be complex and high-stakes.
Viagra’s creators originally intended the drug to treat hypertension. But when it was tested on patients, it turned out to have an unexpected side effect: a blue-tinted vision. This is because sildenafil inhibits an enzyme that overly sensitizes rod cells in the retina, causing them to absorb only blue light. This side effect is called cyanopsia and typically fades as the effects of the drug wear off.
White
Choosing a pill’s color might seem like a minor decision, but it can make a huge difference in how a medication is perceived by consumers. For example, Viagra (the brand name for the erectile dysfunction medication manufactured by Pfizer) is blue, and this color has helped to make the drug instantly recognizable. The blue pill also conveys a sense of masculinity and virility, which is a good fit for the medication’s intended use.
Li Hua was a little disappointed, but she knew that if she told him about this she would have to leave after the new year. She could not afford to lose this job.
She looked at Xuan Yunjin and thought that she was a ruthless person, but what did it matter if she was ruthless to herself? The best way to deal with a problem is to tackle it head-on. She was going to try her best to keep the money.
Yellow
Viagra is most commonly known for being the little blue pill, but did you know that it also comes in yellow? Yellow Viagra, also known as Sildenafil Citrate, works the same way as the blue pill and has similar side effects. It unblocks the arteries in the penis and increases blood flow, leading to an erection.
Male sexuality and prowess are important to many men, but erectile dysfunction (ED) can make that difficult. Fortunately, a man doesn’t need to be ashamed or embarrassed about his condition and there are plenty of options for treatment available.
One of those is the yellow Viagra, which works the same way as the blue pill and can be found in a variety of strengths. It is a good choice for men who need a quick fix or who are on a tight budget. It’s also a great option for older men who may not be able to get a strong erection with the blue pill.
Orange
The color of a medication plays a role in its success and how patients perceive it. Drugmakers often select the color of a pill before it is actually launched, and they use a variety of factors when selecting a shade. For example, a migraine prevention medication might be colored orange to convey a sense of calm. Meanwhile, an erectile dysfunction medication is blue to suggest masculinity and virility.
In addition, drugmakers consider how the color of a pill might affect the way physicians prescribe it. For instance, a drug may be colored in order to make it easier for physicians to distinguish between different medications that treat the same condition.
The color of a medication can also have an effect on its brand recognition and sales. For example, Viagra is known as the little blue pill because of its distinctive blue color. However, generic versions of the medication often come in a white tablet, which can sometimes confuse patients.
Green
A brand’s color scheme has become an integral part of its marketing, and can make or break its sales. For example, Viagra is blue, and Nexium is purple. These colors were not chosen at random; they were carefully selected by drug manufacturers based on extensive research and customer insights.
Although Viagra is known as the little blue pill, it actually comes in a variety of colors and shapes. Generic versions of the medication also exist, and while they may differ in color and shape, their active ingredients are identical.
In fact, the color of a generic pill does not affect its effectiveness or safety. Regardless of the color, all generic drugs must meet strict regulations regarding their manufacturing and packaging. This means that they will always work just as well as their more expensive counterparts. In addition, generic medications do not require patent protection, so they can be manufactured and sold at a lower cost.
Pink
Three years ago, it seemed like the holy grail for women with low sex drive had finally arrived. A little pink pill called Addyi—nicknamed the “female Viagra” by media and the public—was the first prescription drug approved by the FDA to help reinvigorate a woman’s sexual desire.
But the drug’s color wasn’t random, and it didn’t just play off of traditional gender associations. In fact, researchers carefully selected the pill’s color to help it stand out among competing drugs.
The first reason is that it’s not blue. The active ingredient in Viagra is sildenafil, which has a distinctive blue hue. The drug’s color has been central to its successful marketing campaign. But why? And does the color really make a difference in how effective it is?