Latest News

We have just seen some information on a product called Prelox which claims to solve erectile dysfunction in a completely natural way.  The compound consists of Pycnogenol, an antioxidant derived from a certain time of maritime pine tree, and L-Arginine aspartate, an amino acid.  The compound has been awarded a patent in the US for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and the research that we have read seems to suggest that this product has a high rate of success.  The full study is to be published in the International Journal of Impotence Research.

Prelox is a food supplement so it would be required to be taken on a regular basis rather than just as a one off when sex was desired as is the case with the conventional treatments for erectile dysfunction.  According to the published information that we have seen, Prelox has a satisfaction rate of around 85% which is pretty amazing.  What is not clear from the research is how bad the erectile function in each of the patients was to begin with.  Further information can be found at Prelox

NexMed has filed for approval in the US of its transdermal patch which delivers alprostadil to solve erectile dysfunction.  Alprostadil already exists in the UK as a urethra suppository (MUSE) and an injection (Caverject.)  If no further information is requested then approval could come in 8 months.

No data was available for the success rate of this delivery mechanism but it may be suitable for cases that cannot be treated with first line solutions such as Viagra.  The inconvenient delivery mechanism for current alprostadil prescriptions has meant that the treatment is not popular with most men.

We will bring more news as and when we have it.

We have been bringing you news about the development of a potential new treatment for erectile dysfunction called Bremelanotide.  Unfortunately, this first in class melanocortin agonist drug will not be progressing to Phase 3 trials at the current time.  This follows representations from the US Food and Drug Agency, which did not believe that the efficacy and the associated risks/benefits justified the trials going ahead. Apparently the success rates from the phase 2 trials were not too impressive and there was a high incidence of raised blood pressure.  It is thought that the FDA was amenable to a progression to phase 3 trials on the basis that the drug would be a second line treatment where the existing PDE5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, had not worked.  This appears to be unacceptable to the patent holders at the current time.  If and when we get further news, we will post further information here.  For additional information, please have a look at the Palatin Technologies website.

An article has appeared in Perspecives on Prostate Disease which flies in the face of traditional advice dispensed to men recovering from a radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate gland.)  The lack of erections following prostate surgery has been attributed to nerve damage which should heal over time. It has been advised that men should wait until the nerve damage has healed before they attempt to get an erection but it would appear that allowing the penis to remain flaccid for an extended period of time (sometimes up to 2 years before complete healing has taken place) could actually damage the prospects of ever being able to get a normal (i.e. unaided by drugs or other medical intervention) erection ever again.

By remaining flaccid for long periods of time, the penis becomes deprived of oxygen and will become similar to scar tissue where the lack of flexibility may prevent vessels within the penis from expanding as they become filled with blood.  If the penis is exercised then it is more likely that normal unaided function will resume with the passage of time.

Research into penile rehabilitation following prostate surgery is not perfect and we recommend that patients discuss this matter with their consultant before they embark on a course of action which could be damaging. If you are approaching The Online Clinic to discuss erectile dysfunction following a radical prostatectomy then it is important that you disclose this information.

A study in China involving 7,684 men has concluded that smoking can be a major contributory factor to erectile dysfunction.  This is something that we have long suspected but this authoritative piece of research to be published in the American Journal of Epidemiology demonstrated that the statistical link is significant.

There appeared to be a direct correlation between the quantity of cigarettes smoked and the incidence or severity of the erectile problems.  There also appeared to be a stronger association in participants who also had diabetes.  The study included men aged 35-75 who did not have any vascular disease.

Help is at hand here if you want to give up smoking.  We are prepared to prescribe Champix for smoking cessation and there are a number of treatments for erectile dysfunction, including Viagra , that we are also prepared to prescribe.  As always, whether we will prescribe something will depend on your medical circumstances so you must complete a consultation form before we can make a decision.

Back in January we brought you news of an exciting new drug in development which can be used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women.  We now have information that the Phase IIb trials for use in men were a success and a meeting has been arranged with the FDA in August to discuss the results and to run through the requirements for the Phase III trials.  Bremelanotide tackles erectile dysfunction in a completely different way from the current generation of drugs such as Viagra.  Bremelanotide targets the central nervous system and is the first medication in a class known as melanocortin agonists.  Because of the way that this new medicine works, it is unlikely to be contraindicated for patients with heart problems or who use nitrates.  Although it will be a while before this medication is available to prescribe, initial findings do appear positive.