New Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction
Two
investigational drugs - Tadalafil and Vardenafil - show promise
in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, with fewer side effects.
Both are selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors with a
comparable or better side-effect profile compared with sildenafil
(Viagra).
TADALAFIL (Cialis)
Eli Lilly & Co.
- Can produce erections up to 36 hours, with 57% intercourse attempts
successful at 24 hours.
- Effective whether erectile dysfunction etiology is psychogenic,
organic or mixed.
- Side effects: Headache, dyspepsia, and back pain; less than
5%.
- In patients with stable cardiovascular conditions or hypertensives
on multiple drug therapies, cardiovascular adverse events were
few and not statistically different from placebo: flushing, dizziness,
hypertension and syncope.
- Like sildenafil (Viagra), it should not be in patients on nitroglycerine,
as it augments its hypotensive effects.
VARDENAFIL
(Nuviva)
Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline
- Seems effective in treating erectile dysfunction caused by diabetes
and hyperlipidemia and those on antihypertensive medications with
less than optimal response to sildenafil.
- Effective whether erectile dysfunction etiology is psychogenic,
organic or mixed.
- May normalize even severe erectile dysfunction.
- Improves erectile function regardless of etiology: organic,
psychogenic or mixed.
- Mild adverse effects that are dose related: headache (17% or
less), vasodilation (14% or less) dyspepsia (6% or less) and rhinitis
(8% or less).
- Bayer has sought FDA approval.
