Pzifer and Eli Lilly will be feeling a little nervous after experimental drug firm Vivus Incorporated this week announced that their new erectile dysfunction medication, Avanafil, has quicker reaction times than both Cialis and Viagra.
In late-stage clinical trials, the drug was shown to get to work within 15 minutes, considerably quicker than the current market leaders. Cialis starts working between 30 minutes and a few hours after it is taken, while Viagra acts within 30 minutes after it is taken.
Volunteers in the trial were given one of three doses of the medication, which is taken orally. 2/3s of those who were given the lowest dose, 50mg, achieved an erection in 15 minutes, rising to 69% of participants on the higher 100mg dose and 72% for those on the highest 200mg dose.
Patients saw improved sexual function and better sexual satisfaction. The side effects reported from the drug included headaches, flushing and nasal congestion.
Vivus said in a statement that the ‘magnitude of success in the first 15 minutes was surprising’. Their CEO LeLand Wilson added that he hoped that the drug would be available within 2 years, assuming that it is approved by regulators.
The speedy reaction time of the drug could significantly help it make an impact on the erectile dysfunction market, which though profitable is dominated by the best-known drugs Viagra and Cialis.
Vivus have quoted a study involved 1,900 patients with erectile dysfunction, 75% of whom said that rapid effect times for medication was an important part of their expectations for treatment. Dr Charles Bowden, director of Clinical Development at the company, believes that the quick reaction time of avanafil will ‘create an attractive position in the market’.