Results have been released by Vivus Pharmaceuticals showing that their new drug, avanafil, could help diabetics suffering from erectile dysfunction.
The drug is being trialled amongst men with no other health problems, but the company also launched a trial specific to men with diabetes. Diabetes is a strong risk factor for erectile dysfunction, as it is thought to affect blood flow and can cause nerve damage. Vivus says that nearly half of all men with diabetes suffer from erectile dysfunction.
The Revive-diabetes study saw 390 men with diabetes receive either a placebo or a dose of avanafil. More than 60% of the subjects on the higher dose were able to achieve erections sufficient for penetration, which those treated with the 100mg said that their ability to have intercourse increased 3-fold.
The drug is in late-stage trials and has already been shown to have faster reaction times that other competitors on the market. Viagra takes up to half an hour to have an effect, whereas Avanafil takes up to 15 minutes.
The lead scientist on the study, Laurence Belkoff of the Philedelphoa College of Oestepathic Medicine, has described the results as positive for men with diabetes and erectile dysfunction. He said that the hard-to-treat section of the population would be ‘encouraged’ that there the drug had proved to be well-tolerated, effective and fast acting.