 |
Year
2007 |
|
Archives
|
|
|
Viagra is "top choice"
Wednesday, 7th July 2004
ANTI-impotence wonderdrug Viagra
remains the top choice for men with erectile
dysfunction despite several other treatments being developed
in recent years, a report claimed today.
Viagra (sildenafil), launched in 1998, was the first licensed oral drug for erectile dysfunction and has gained worldwide attention and fame.
In the last four years, another three drugs for the condition have come on to the market but have failed to take Viagra's crown, according to the a report in Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin.
Viagra is available on the NHS for men who suffer distress because of erectile dysfunction caused by diseases such as diabetes or Parkinson's.
But many men have also resorted to buying the blue-diamond shaped pill from the Internet or abroad.
The other drugs - apomorphine (brand name Uprima), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) - have so far failed to capture the public's attention in the same way, the report claimed.
The prices of all the drugs to the NHS are similar - around £4-£6 per dose.
The report said that while apomorphine appeared to improve erectile function, it appeared less effective than Viagra.
And the authors said that while the other two newer drugs - tadalafil and vardenafil - improved erectile function, it was not known how their effects compared with Viagra.
They also said that research suggesting that men preferred tadalafil to Viagra was "weak".
The report concluded: "One current published evidence, sildenafil (Viagra) remains the first-line drug treatment for men with erectile dysfunction."
Evidence
Dr Ike Iheanacho, acting editor of Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, added: "There is no compelling evidence to suggest that the newer drugs for erectile dysfunction are any more effective than sildenafil, a much longer-established treatment.
"So sildenafil remains the first choice oral drug for men with this condition."
Biotechnology company Vectura is currently developing an inhaled alternative to Viagra.
VR004 is delivered into the bloodstream in around eight minutes - faster than traditional pills which can take an hour to act.
The market for erectile dysfunction treatments is estimated at £1.4 billion worldwide. source :-http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk | 
