New drug for erection problems shows great potency

New drug for erection problems shows great potency

Auckland, May 7th 2003 – A new treatment for erection problems launched in New Zealand this week has shown a high success rate in clinical trials.

Levitra™ - which is being jointly marketed in New Zealand and Australia by Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline – recorded a response rate of 86%1 for a broad cross-section of men with erection problems in the trials.

Bayer Medical Director Dr Jeff Hassall says Levitra had been shown to be both highly potent and highly selective in its action.

“In clinical studies, Levitra has proven to be a very potent PDE-5 inhibitor which facilitates erections with sexual stimulation. Some men respond in just 15 minutes and most within 25 minutes.2 It predominantly targets the PDE-5 enzyme, rather than other PDE enzymes, which reduces the likelihood of patients experiencing side effects such as back pain or colour vision problems2,” says Dr Hassall.

Levitra has shown particularly exciting results for traditionally difficult to treat patients including men with type 2 diabetes and those who have had prostate surgery2. It is also effective regardless of age or severity of the erection problem2.

The two companies’ confidence in the medication is also shown in its marketing planning. Levitra is the only oral medicine for erection problems to offer patients a money-back guarantee. Dr Hassall says users will receive a full refund if they cannot achieve and maintain a satisfactory erection to complete sexual intercourse, after completing a full first course of treatment.

Auckland GP Dr Warrick White says the guarantee may help men overcome their reluctance to have their prescriptions filled. “Many men who receive a prescription choose not to obtain the medicine from the pharmacy because of concerns about cost and effectiveness. All existing oral treatments for erection problems are paid for by patients. For some the cost may stop them from being successfully treated as there is no way of knowing in advance which one will work for them. Levitra’s guarantee may encourage men to obtain it and deal with their erection problems with a very effective medicine2.

“Clinical trials of Levitra have been very encouraging. It is particularly exciting to have another treatment for men with diabetes or who have had prostate surgery,” says Dr White.

Levitra is now available in New Zealand and the money back guarantee is valid from now until the end of the year. The guarantee gives men with erection problems the opportunity to try the new effective oral medicine without concerns about the financial risk.

Levitra is marketed by pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer as part of a joint worldwide agreement. Levitra is already approved and available in several countries across Europe and also in Australia. In New Zealand Levitra is an unfunded, prescription medicine.

The companies are investing over $600,000 in New Zealand based clinical research with Levitra including an evaluation of the effectiveness of Levitra in men who have previously not responded to treatment with sildenafil. There is also a trial in New Zealand assessing effectiveness in men with spinal cord injury.

Things to know about Levitra:

Levitra is an unfunded, prescription medicine. The recommended starting dose is 10 mg with a maximum of 20 mg in 24 hours. Take no more than one dose per day. Do not take Levitra if: you are taking medicines called nitrates. Tell your doctor if you have: a heart or blood condition, kidney or liver disease, a disease or deformity of the penis, blood or bone cancer, a peptic ulcer; you are taking any other medicines or herbal remedies, including those for erectile dysfunction. Side Effects (common): Headache, flushing, heartburn, nausea, dizziness, stuffy/runny nose. Be careful driving/operating machinery. Please speak to your health professional if you have any concerns, feel unwell or have any of these side effects. Prices may vary depending on the pharmacy.

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