New erectile dysfunction drug useful in diabetes
Vardenafil, a treatment for erectile dysfunction, will
be especially useful in the treatment of men with diabetes, according
to new data.
Results from a new study suggest 61 per cent of
men with diabetes using the 10mg dose of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor
achieved successful penetration compared with 36 per cent of men with
diabetes taking placebo. The phase III randomised placebo controlled trial
examined the effects of vardenafil in 452 patients with both type 1 and
type 2 diabetes.
Professor Irwin Goldstein, professor of urology
at Boston University School of Medicine, explained: "Demonstrating successful
penetration in this difficult-to-treat type of patient is OK. But what
is vital is to prove that the erection can be maintained." Further analysis
of the data showed that 49 per cent of men taking 10mg of vardenafil were
able to maintain their erection compared with 9 per cent of those using
placebo. The diabetes study follows trials in mixed populations of men
with erectile dysfunction that showed that 75 per cent of men on vardenafil
were able to achieve erections long enough to complete sexual intercourse.
Dr Ian Eardley, consultant urologist at St James's
University Hospital in Leeds said the improved PDE-5 selectivity of vardenafil
means it is less likely to cause the retinal disturbances seen in some
patients taking sildenafil.
Vardenafil is one of two phosphodiesterase inhibitors
in development, the other being tadalafil. Dr Eardley added: "Both new
compounds look to be more potent than sildenafil."
Vardenafil is expected to enter the European regulatory
process this year and to be launched at the end of 2002. Bayer hopes that
vardenafil's trade name will be Nuviva. The trial results were presented
at an international press briefing in Mexico City on 3 November.
— Contributed.
Back to Top
|
