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Volume III
Report 2 |
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Impotence
(Erectile Dysfunction)
Drug
Treatments
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Drugs for
treating Erectile Dysfunction can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or
inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In March 1998, the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
Viagra,
the first pill to treat ED. In August 2003, the FDA gave approval to a
second oral medicine,
vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra)
and Cialis (tadalafil). Additional oral medicines
are being tested for safety and effectiveness.
Taken an
hour before sexual activity,
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate), Cialis and Levitra work
by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a chemical that relaxes smooth
muscles in the penis during sexual stimulation and allows increased blood
flow.
While oral
medicines improve the response to sexual stimulation, they do not trigger an
automatic erection as injections do. The recommended dose for
Viagra
is 50 mg, and the physician may adjust this dose to 100 mg or 25 mg,
depending on the patient.
The recommended dose for
Levitra is 10 mg, and the
physician may adjust this dose to 20 mg if 10 mg is insufficient. Lower
doses of 5 mg and 2.5 mg are available for patients who take other medicines
or have conditions that may decrease the body's ability to use Levitra.
The recommended dose for
Cialis is 20mg and the effect lasts up to 36 hours.
None of
these drugs should be used more than once a day. Men who take nitrate-based
drugs such as nitroglycerin for heart problems should not use either drug
because the combination can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. Also, Levitra
should not be taken with any of the drugs called alpha-blockers, which are
used to treat prostate enlargement or high blood pressure.
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Oral
testosterone can reduce ED in some men with low levels of natural
testosterone, but it is often ineffective and may cause liver damage.
Patients also have claimed that other oral drugs--including yohimbine
hydrochloride, dopamine and serotonin agonists, and trazodone--are
effective, but the results of scientific studies to substantiate these
claims have been inconsistent. Also Yohimbe has potentially toxic effects.
Many men
achieve stronger erections by injecting drugs into the penis, causing it to
become engorged with blood. Drugs such as papaverine hydrochloride,
phentolamine, and alprostadil (marketed as Caverject) widen blood vessels.
These drugs may create unwanted side effects, however, including persistent
erection (known as priapism) and scarring. Nitroglycerin, a muscle relaxant,
can sometimes enhance erection when rubbed on the penis.
A system
for inserting a pellet of alprostadil into the urethra is marketed as Muse.
The system uses a prefilled applicator to deliver the pellet about an inch
deep into the urethra. An erection will begin within 8 to 10 minutes and may
last 30 to 60 minutes. The most common side effects are aching in the penis,
testicles, and area between the penis and rectum; warmth or burning
sensation in the urethra; redness from increased blood flow to the penis;
and minor urethral bleeding or spotting.
In addition to Impotence Drugs also
see Impotence Herb Treatments
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Viagra |
Cialis
| Erectile Dysfunction |
Enzyte |
Yohimbe
| Levitra
| Impotence
| Maxoderm
| Orexis
| Procylon
| Herbal V
| Sta Max
| Erectile Disfunction |
Pro Solution |
Vipra |
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration
and are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical
advice. |
