Health Alert 130
Have you tried the little blue pill without success? Well now there’s another drug option. Bayer AG and GlaxoSmithKline are now offering Levitra as an alternative to Viagra for erectile dysfunction.
In this letter I’ll let you know about a recent study that documents the effectiveness of Levitra. Although I generally favor natural options over drugs, I think impotency drugs are a relatively safe, viable option for otherwise healthy men.
* Levitra Study Demonstrates Success *
The study included men identified as Viagra nonresponders. These men were unable to achieve erections with Viagra at least 4 of their 6 most recent attempts.1 The men received Levitra or a placebo. After 12 weeks, the Levitra men were 3 times more likely to complete intercourse than those on the placebo. More than 40% of the men who took Levitra achieved an erection. Only 16% of the men who took the placebo were able to do so.2
Levitra works more quickly too. Trial participants achieved erections within 16 minutes with Levitra. Viagra usually took 30 to 60 minutes for a response.3
In trials, the most common side effects were headache, flushing, nasal blockage, and indigestion. Two percent of the patients reported dizziness and some reported abnormal vision.4 These side effects are similar to Viagra. They are mild for most men. Many of my patients consider them minor in comparison to the success they offer.
* Is Levitra Right for You? *
In my own practice, I always evaluate testosterone levels first. I also take a full medication history. I am interested in knowing if their impotency is a side effect of a medication. It’s never a good idea to treat a drug side effect with another drug.
If you have certain health conditions, Levitra should not be taken. If you have had:
• Unstable angina
• A heart attack in the last 6 month
• A stroke in the last 6 months
• Significantly low or uncontrolled blood pressure
If you are taking nitrates or beta-blockers, you should not take Levitra either.
I have prescribed Viagra to a number of my patients. Having other options like Levitra is an improvement. If your testosterone levels are normal and you’re not taking any medications that are causing the dysfunction, you may want to try one of these impotency drugs.
Another option that will be available soon is Cialis. This drug is currently available in Europe. It works by the same method as Viagra and Levitra but it lasts much longer. It has been nicknamed “the weekend pill” because it lasts up to 36 hours.5 It will hit the US market in a couple of months.
It’s important to remember that these are prescription drugs. You should take them only under the guidance of a physician.
If you prefer natural options, these are my favorite herbal extracts for enhancing performance:
• 250 mg of Tribulus terrestris daily
• 100 mg of muira puama extract daily
• 250 mg of yohimbine extract daily
• 250 mg of saw palmetto daily
Al Sears MD
1 Boyles, Salynn New Drug Helps Those Let Down by Viagra, WebMD, October 10, 2003. http://my.webmd.com/content/Article/75/89660.htm?printing=true
2 Ibid.
3 New ‘sex pills’ may put heat on Viagra, CNN, August 20, 2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/20/sex.pills/index.html
4 “New & Approved: Levitra,” Family Practice News, September 15, 2003: 40.
5 New ‘sex pills’ may put heat on Viagra, CNN, August 20, 2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/08/20/sex.pills/index.html