New wonder drug set to outdo Viagra

The reign of the record-breaking erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, is headed for a serious challenge from a new product, which is effective in just 15 minutes — far much faster than the other leading players in the market.

According to a statement released by the makers, Vivus, on Monday, the speed with which the drug avanafil works has been described as “surprising”.

Released results

“The magnitude of success in the first 15 minutes was surprising. The previously released results demonstrated rapid onset and a long duration of effect,” said Leland Wilson, chief executive officer of Vivus. In order to determine how quickly patients had success with avanafil, explains Wilson, an analysis of the results was performed, which showed efficacy within a quarter of an hour.

Releasing data from Phase Three human trials, the CEO said the drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) could be in the market in about two years. Pfizer, which makes Viagra, says its drug acts within 30 minutes to an hour after it is taken.

Cialis, made by Eli Lilly, starts working from 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion. A third competitor, Levitra, starts working between 25 and 60 minutes after it is taken. These drugs are quite popular in Kenya and there is no reason why the new candidate will not speedily find its way into the country.

Most counterfeited

These are some of the most counterfeited medical products in Kenya, with Eli Lilly being forced to change its packaging, because of the trend, a few years ago. Wilson says 72 per cent of sexual acts in the first 15 minutes were successful in the study group.

The speed with which an impotence drug works is said to be important when consumers are choosing a product. “From our discussions with patients and physicians, we knew that rapid onset was an important attribute in the selection of an ED therapy,” says Dr Charles Bowden, director of Clinical Development at Vivus on the company website.

Dr Bowden quotes a recent study among 1,900 patients with ED, which showed that 75 per cent of patients identified rapid effect as an important treatment expectation. “Knowing that avanafil can be effective within 15 minutes should create an attractive position in the market,” he says.

According to a press statement from the public relations firm PR Newswire, the study involved 646 men with a history of generalised impotency for at least six months. Patients underwent a four-week, observation period followed by 12 weeks of treatment with one of three doses of avanafil: 50mg, 100 mg and 200mg, or placebo.

These patients were instructed to attempt sexual act shortly after taking avanafil, with no restrictions on food or alcohol consumption. “The primary results of this study were improved erectile function and more sexual satisfaction. Side-effects reported from the study included headache, flushing and nasal congestion,” says the statement. Erectile Dysfunction is defined as the inability to attain and maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.