Latest News - Part 39
Medical treatment of erectile dysfunction
There has been a tremendous increase in demand for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in the last 10 years. This has occurred partly because of a greater understanding and awareness by both the general public and clinicians, and also because there now exists a range of effective treatments. The choice of treatments is increasing rapidly and novel delivery systems which may be more patient-friendly than intracavernosal injections are now becoming available. We review the published data on effectiveness and safety of the currently available treatments and discuss recent advances in oral therapy, as these drugs are likely to become available in the near future.
Cialis can build up in the body
Someone using one Cialis tablet every two days will find Cialis levels go on rising to reach a steady state after about a week. On day 2, when taking a second tablet around 20% of the original tablet is still in the blood stream. On day 4, 22% of a single dose will still remain. On day 6 around 24% and so on. So someone who finds a single dose still has an effect after 36 hours could in theory find that a tablet every other day enables them to have sex whenever they wish without fear of failure – assuming reasonable intervals before doing so.
Of course, other factors are important such as the possibility of more continuous or more serious side effects – after a single dose 14% experience headaches and 9% heartburn. Taking Cialis pills in such a way should not be considered by anywone under any circumstances without close medical supervision and advice.
In France, it has been dubbed ‘Le Weekend’ pill. Unlike Viagra drug, Cialis drug does not interact with with food or alcohol – canadian Viagra is best taken on an empty stomach. GlaxoSmithKline/Bayer’s Levitra is expected to launch in 2003. Pfizer is trying to block US launches of generic Cialis and generic Levitra, but similar legal action in Europe failed on the grounds that the information to be patented was already in the public domain.
Cialis can last for two days
Generic Cialis starts working faster than generic Viagra, sometimes in 16 minutes, and lasts 24 hours or more. In contrast, Canadian Viagra usually works for only four hours after an hour’s delay.
As with Viagra, 80% of men with erectile function are able to achieve an erection with Cialis drug use and three out of four are able to achieve sexual intercourse. But in one Cialis study, 59% of previously impotent men were still able to have sex 36 hours after taking it.
The reason is that the body takes four times as long to get rid of Cialis (tadalafil) than to eliminate Viagra. The half-life of Viagra (time for blood levels to fall 50%) is 4 hours compared to 17 hours for canadian Cialis. That means 25% of a Cialis dose is still present in the body after 35 hours, and 12.5% after more than 50 hours. It also means that Cialis (tadalafil) will accumulate in the body if taken regularly.
FDA Approves Third Drug To Treat Erectile Dysfunction
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Cialis (tadalafil), an oral medication to treat erectile dysfunction (ED, or impotence) in men. This is the third oral product approved for this condition. This drug is different than currently approved products for ED in that it stays in the body longer.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men in the United States. Cialis acts by relaxing muscles in the penis and blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow into the penis, which produces an erection.
Canadian Cialis was evaluated in randomized, placebo-controlled trials involving more than 4,000 men with erectile dysfunction. In two of these trials, men had ED associated with diabetes mellitus or following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
The drug’s effectiveness was assessed using a sexual function questionnaire. In addition, patients were asked to report if they were able to achieve an erection adequate for intercourse and whether that erection was maintained to allow completion of intercourse. In all of these trials, Cialis pills improved patients’ ability to achieve and maintain a penile erection. In other studies, sexual activity was improved in some patients at 30 minutes after taking a dose; additional studies demonstrated improvements for up to 36 hours after taking Cialis when compared to placebo.
The recommended starting dose for most patients is 10 mg taken prior to anticipated sexual activity. A higher dose of 20mg is available for patients whose response to the 10mg dose is not adequate. A lower dose (5 mg) is also available and may be necessary for patients taking other medicines or having medical conditions that may decrease the body’s ability to metabolize tadalafil. Cialis tablets should not be used more than once per day.
Cialis should not be used with nitrates (such as nitroglycerin tablets or patches) or with an alpha blocker other than FLOMAX 0.4 mg daily (alpha blockers are medicines used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and high blood pressure) because the combination may significantly lower blood pressure and lead to fainting or even death in some men.
Because some drugs affect the metabolism of Cialis, patients should inform their doctors that they are taking Cialis. For example, patients taking ketoconazole or ritonoavir should not take more than a 10mg dose of Cialis once every 72 hours.
Also, in patients with moderately or severely decreased kidney function, the starting dose is 5mg taken once daily. In this group, the dose may be increased to 10mg taken once every 48 hours. In patients with mild or moderate liver impairment, the maximum dose of Cialis is 10mg.
In most patients, after taking a single dose of generic Cialis, some of the drug will remain in the body for more than 2 days. In those with decreased kidney function, impairment of the liver, or those taking certain medications (e.g. ketoconazole or ritonavir) tadalafil can remain in the body longer.
Cheap Cialis should not be taken by men in whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status (heart condition). Patients should inform their doctor about any heart problems that they have experienced before taking Cialis.
Generic Cialis is not recommended in patients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke within the last six months, or patients who have significantly low blood pressure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, severe liver impairment, or retinitis pigmentosa (an eye disorder).
The most common side effects reported in clinical trials included headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. Patients who get back pain and muscle aches usually get it 12 to 24 hours after taking generic Cialis and these usually go away by themselves within 48 hours. A small number of patients taking Cialis also reported abnormal vision.
Before taking Cialis drugs, patients are advised to undergo a thorough medical history and physical examination to attempt to diagnose the underlying cause of the erectile dysfunction and to identify appropriate treatment.
Source: FDA Talk Paper #T03-79, November 21, 2003
Directions for Cialis
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor and/or pharmacy. This medication will come with pre-printed information. Read this information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacy any questions you may have about taking this medication. Store this medicine at cool temperatures away from heat and light.
NEVER EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE MORE THAN once a day, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU TAKE OR USE NITROGLYCERIN OR OTHER NITRATE DRUG FOR CHEST PAIN OR HEART PROBLEMS, including nitroglycerin tablets, patches, or ointment, OR OTHER NITRATES, such as isosorbide. If you are not sure whether a certain medicine is a nitrate, contact your doctor or pharmacist. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking medicines called “alpha blockers”, other than Flomax 0.4mg daily. THIS MEDICINE WILL NOT PREVENT the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor or seek immediate emergency medical attention for any ERECTION LASTS 4 HOURS. A sustained erection can damage the penis. Refrain from further sexual activity and notify your doctor it you develop dizziness, nausea, pain, tightness, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in the chest, arms, legs, neck, or face at the start of sexual activity.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medication include possible headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose These side effects usually go away after few hours. Patients who get back pain and muscle aches usually get it 12 to 14 hours after taking generic Cialis. Back pain and muscle aches usually go away by themselves within 48 hours. If these side effects continue or are bothersome, call your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience prolonged abnormal, painful erections, if your erection last more than 4 hours. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Buy Brand Cialis
Recommended dosage for Cialis
Doses range from 5 milligrams to 20 milligrams, depending on the drug’s effect. The recommended starting dose is 10 milligrams.
Take Generic Cialis only before sexual activity. The manufacturer recommends a maximum of one dose per day. If you’re taking certain drugs that affect the liver, such as ritonavir or ketoconazole 200mg, the maximum recommended dose is 10 milligrams no more than once every 3 days.
If you have moderate kidney impairment, the recommended starting dose is 5 milligrams once a day, up to a maximum of 10 milligrams once every 2 days. If you have severe kidney impairment or need dialysis, the maximum recommended dose is 5 milligrams once a day. No dosage adjustment is required if you have mild kidney problems.
If you have mild or moderate liver impairment, your total daily dose should not exceed 10 milligrams once a day. If your liver is severely impaired, you will not be able to use cheap Cialis.
USA approval for once daily Cialis pill
Eli Lilly’s once-a-day version of its erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment Cialis (tadalafil) has finally got the go ahead from US regulators, six months after approval in the EU.
The approval means the new formulation is now available to men on the other side of the Atlantic, allowing sufferers of ED to attempt sexual activity at any time between doses, rather than during the narrow time frame dictated by the ‘on demand’ version.
According to Lilly, the once daily Cialis formulation is intended for men who anticipate more frequent sexual activity (i.e. twice weekly), and contains a lower dose than the previously approved version that is taken as needed.
The newly approved formulation, aside from offering perhaps a more convenient and attractive option to men, will also be no more taxing on their wallets. According to Lilly, the wholesale pricing for the once-daily Cialis will be comparable to the as-needed formulation, so that patients who currently use two or more pills of the as-needed version should not have higher treatment costs through using the once-daily product.
Gaining EU approval in June last year, the once-a-day product is currently available only in parts of Europe, but introduction to further countries is expected throughout 2008.