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Levitra Demonstrates Effectiveness at First Dose

November 03, 2006 - Sexual Medicine Society of North America –

According to the report that was made public at the Fall Meeting of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, vardenafil HCI (Levitra) is effective at first dose in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with certain cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia and high cholesterol level. Besides, Levitra demonstrates tolerability and continued success in treating such patients.

The statement was based on the results of clinical study, conducted recently at 42 centers all over the world, including Europe, North and South America, and Asia Pacific. About 600 men over age 18 participated in the study. All the participants experienced ED for at least half of a year and suffered at least from one disease, contributing to the development of erectile dysfunction (32 % of participants had hypertension, 16 % - diabetes and 19 % - dyslipidemia).

Doctors, who treat patients with ED, underline that patients with ED are interested in positive results of ED treatment from the very first dose. Besides, tolerability of medicine and its effectiveness over time are also of key importance for patients. That is why the study was designed to reveal the potential of Levitra in these aspects.

The study showed that of all the patients treated with the first dose of Levitra 10 mg, 87% experienced success in penetration and 74% experienced erection enough to complete the sexual intercourse. It is interesting to note, that success rates were higher in people with high blood pressure and dyslipidemia in comparison to those with diabetes (84 % vs.75% respectively).

During the next phase of the study, which lasted for 12 weeks, scientists compared the effectiveness of Levitra to placebo. In general, patients treated with Levitra showed significant improvements of their erectile function, measured in accordance with the International Index of Erectile Function.

At the end of the study, Levitra ensured greater reliability of penetration compared to placebo (83 % vs. 56 % respectively). The scientists also evaluated side effects of vardenafil treatment and said that the intensity of adverse events were mild to moderate. The most common side effects were headache and flushing, reported by 5% of patients.

For the time being, Levitra, developed by Bayer Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and promoted in the U.S. by GSK and Schering-Plough Corporation, is one of three FDA-approved medications to treat erectile dysfunction. However, it is not inconceivable that a new player will soon appear on the market of ED medicines.

Palatin Technologies and King Pharmaceuticals have recently reported about the positive results from the Phase 2B trial of their revolutionary medicine bremelanotide (known earlier as PT-141). The inventory drug is said to treat erectile dysfunction in the unique way by affecting the pathway that controls sexual function without influencing the vascular system directly. The other potential benefit of bremelanotide is that it can be used not only for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction but for helping women, suffering from female sexual dysfunction (FSD) as well.

Consequently, it is vitally important for the makers of the existing ED oral pills to demonstrate more and more benefits of their products in order to protect their shares of the ED treatments market.

Nick

External resources
http://www.schering-plough.com/schering_plough/news/release.jsp?releaseID=926...
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=55825
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=56018
http://www.levitra.com