Archive for category treatment

Levitra (vardenafil)

Posted by admin in Impotence: Drug Therapy, treatment on March 9th, 2010

What is Levitra?

Levitra (vardenafil) is one of three most popular prescription medications specially intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is classified as a PDE5 inhibitor and can be taken by men only. Levitra comes in tablets containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses in round orange tablets and can be also available from online pharmacies in its generic version. Generic versions of Levitra can be different in shape and color, but they contain the same amount of the active ingredient and are just as efficient.

How does Levitra help men with erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, also commonly abbreviated as ED is a serious disorder that requires treatment as it may otherwise affect the person’s personal and even professional life. It is characterized by a repeated inability of a man to get an erection and maintain it for long enough to have sex. There are many ways ED can be diagnosed – using physical examination, looking at patient history, carrying out lab tests etc. Erectile dysfunction affects men as young as in their twenties and can be caused by a variety of factors – both physical and psychological. Too much stress, taking some other drugs, even lifestyle choices can affect your sexual ability and lead to erectile dysfunction. The effects of Levitra are based on blocking a specific enzyme – PDE5 therefore allowing more blood to flow into the tissues of the penis. Levitra also prevents this enzyme from reversing the erection, as a result of which you can have sex whenever you want within the period of efficiency of this medicine (up to 5 hours).

Levitra contraindications

There are some men that will be unable to use this medicine because of safety concerns. You are not supposed to be using this medicine if you are taking a nitrate-based medicine like nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate or isosorbide mononitrate; if you are a woman, especially pregnant or breastfeeding; or if you have ever been allergic to this drug, as the same reaction is most likely to take place again and you will need to seek emergency medical help.

Things to consider before starting to take Levitra

Although Levitra is generally very safe and only a few side effects are reported, you will need to talk to a qualified health care professional before starting the treatment. This is very important as there may be a number of contraindications in your case, or some aspects that will require close monitoring by your health care provider. You will need to tell your doctor about any medical conditions that you have or used to have, especially any of the following ones: a history of blood clots or stroke, high or low blood pressure, blood cell disorder, congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, heart rhythm problems, angina, heart attack, bleeding disorder, stomach ulcer, or any inherited eye problems. Additional tests may be required or your doctor will need to keep you under close observation to make sure you are benefitting from the treatment.

How Levitra is supposed to be taken

If compared with other ED treatments, Levitra starts working the fastest and produces the fewest side effects. Therefore, this medicine is perfect for people that do not have the patience to wait for an hour to have sex – it can be taken 30-40 minutes in advance and you can attempt having sex after this period. Some sexual stimulation is required for Levitra to work right, as the mechanism of action of this medicine is purely physical. However, most patients report it’s easier for them to get sexually excited after taking Levitra. Take each dose prescribed with a full glass of water and make sure you do not share your medicine with other people to whom it was not prescribed.

Drugs that can interact with Levitra

Levitra can sometimes cause interactions with certain drugs you may be using at the moment or intend to use in the nearest future. It’s therefore very important that you let your health care provider know if you are taking any other medications, even if they are some over-the-counter products you purchase without prescription. The following medications have been reported to sometimes cause interactions with Levitra: conivaptan, antidepressants, heart rhythm medicines, imatinib, diclofenac, drugs to treat high blood pressure, antifungal medications, antibiotics, prostate disorder meds, HIV/AIDS medicines, isoniazid, and heart or blood pressure medications. If you are not sure whether the drug you are currently taking is likely to interfere with Levitra – it’s best to discuss this with your health care provider.

Does Levitra cause side effects?

Levitra does cause certain side effects, although they tend to be milder than those caused by other ED treatments, and tend to go away on their own. There are also fewer adverse effects caused by Levitra, which is why it’s often preferred by many men suffering from ED. The following mild side effects are most common: warmth or redness in your face, stuffy nose, memory problems, back pain, upset stomach, and headache. The mild side effects mentioned do not need to be reported to your health care provider unless they change in intensity or get particularly bothersome. These side effects can be worsened if you drink alcohol, so try to avoid that while taking this medicine. Serious side effects are possible although quite rare and your doctor will need to know about them as soon as possible. The following serious side effects are sometimes reported: sudden vision loss, irregular heartbeat, vision changes, swelling in your hands, ankles, shortness of breath, sudden hearing loss, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, an sweating.

Levitra storage conditions

Make sure you store Levitra in some place where people to whom it was not prescribed will be unable to access it. Always throw away any Levitra that is expired, as taking his medicine is likely to do you more harm than good.

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Cialis (tadalafil)

Posted by admin in Impotence: Drug Therapy, treatment on February 24th, 2010

Cialis: drug overview

Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor – a medicine intended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and whose effects have been confirmed by a number of clinical trials. This medicine has recently received an approval for being used in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, and there are certain other medical conditions it can be used for. This medicine is manufactured by Eli Lilly company. Cialis comes in three different dosages – your tablet may contain 5, 10 or 20 mg of the active ingredient tadalafil citrate. If this medicine is used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, the dose is higher – 40 mg of tadalafil citrate, and the medicine is sold under the brand name of Adcirca. Cialis tablets for the treatment of impotence are almond-shaped, although there are also generic versions of this medicine that can look different.

Who can take Cialis?

Cialis can be taken by people of different age, especially considering the fact erectile dysfunction can affect people in their twenties. However, it’s recommended to see a doctor if you are very young and experience problems getting an erection – there may be different reasons, including psychological, that can be dealt with some other way and there will be no need for you to take some medicine. Older people tend to be more sensitive to the effects of Cialis, which is why they may need a lower dose of this medicine.

How does Cialis help to treat ED?

Erectile dysfunction is a serious sexual health disorder that can be caused by a variety of factors – both physical and psychological, or a combination of both. While it may sometimes be hard to establish what caused erectile dysfunction (a term that describes the problem of being unable to get stable erections more accurately than the word «impotence»), Cialis is efficient in 80% of all cases if the right dose is prescribed. This drug works by affecting certain enzymes in your body and blocking certain other enzymes that prevent your muscles in the penis from relaxing fully and filling with blood. As a result you can get an erection faster, maintain it for longer and will never have to worry about failing to complete sexual intercourse.

How to take Cialis

Cialis is usually taken as needed, but not more often than every 24 hours. This medicine is most efficient if taken about 40-60 minutes before a planned sexual activity although it also provides you with up to 36 hours of sexual ability. This means that you can attempt having sex at any moment within this period, although for different people this period can be quite different. Take each dose of Cialis with a full glass of water and make sure you do not share it with other people to whom it was not prescribed. You will need certain sexual stimulation for Cialis to work – this medicine is not going to give you an instant erection soon after you take it.

Cialis safety precautions

Never take Cialis if you have a history of an allergic reaction to this medicine or in case you are currently taking any nitrate-based drugs, as this can affect not only the quality of your treatment, but also your general health and wellbeing. For instance, combining Cialis with some nitrate-based medicine can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure and result in fainting, stroke and even death if the patient does not get immediate help. In general, however, there are just a few medical conditions that you will be supposed to report to your health care provider. The following ones are important to mention: recent history of a heart attack, heart disease, stomach ulcer, bleeding disorder, blood cell disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, retinitis pigmentosa, heart rhythm problems, high or low blood pressure, and chest pain, as they can affect the dose you are originally prescribed. Always make sure you report any other medical problems you have, as they may also be important. If it’s not clear whether the benefits of the treatment will outweigh potential risks for you, some tests will be required for your health care provider to determine how efficient and safe Cialis is going to be.

Cialis drug interactions

Cialis can sometime cause interactions with other medicines you are using, especially doxazosin, HIV/AIDS medicines, isoniazid, antibiotics, seizure medications, antidepressants, diclofenac, antifungal medications, heart or blood pressure medications, conivaptan, rifampin, or imatinib. If you are not sure about the way the drug you are taking can be classified, you can always ask your doctor or your pharmacist to learn more. Even if you are taking some vitamins or herbal supplements, make sure your doctor is aware of that fact before prescribing Cialis. Not only drugs have been reported to interfere with Cialis – the efficiency of this medicine can also be decreased if you combine it with grapefruit juice, so make sure you don’t use any products that contain this juice in order to avoid interactions. Drinking alcohol is also likely to affect the success of your treatment, slowing down the absorption of Cialis and delaying its effects.

Cialis side effects

During clinical trials very few people reported any side effects and tolerated Cialis very well. However, there were some people that developed a number of mild side effects that still went away on their own very soon. The following mild side effects are sometimes possible in men that just started taking Cialis and their body has not got accustomed to the dose prescribed: memory problems, sore throat, muscle pain, warmth in your face or chest, diarrhea, headache, upset stomach, back pain, and stuffy nose. You are not supposed to report these side effects to your health care provider, as they tend to go away on their own without any need for you to interfere. However, if your mild side effects get severe and prevent you from doing your normal activities, let your doctor know about them as soon as possible.

Taking more of Cialis than prescribed

Taking more of Cialis than recommended by your health care provider is not going to give you a more powerful erection or make your treatment more efficient. Always make sure you take the exact dose recommended and not more often than every 24 hours. In case you happened to take too much of Cialis and experience symptoms such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, nausea, lightheadedness or fainting, seek emergency medical help.

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Viagra (Sildenafil)

Posted by admin in Impotence: Drug Therapy, treatment on February 12th, 2010

General information about Viagra

Viagra is an efficient anti-impotence medicine that was developed by Pfizer Company in 1998 and very soon received an approval of the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Viagra became the first pill ever to be approved at such a high level for the treatment of this sexual problem that had been overlooked before. This drug contains active ingredient that was named sildenafil citrate. Viagra is a patented name of the medicine, while the same active ingredient can appear in other drugs – for instance, Revatio, but also in generic pills that are sold over the Internet. Viagra comes as a blue diamond-shaped tablet for oral administration and there are three possible dosages – 25, 50 and 100 mg.

Who is Viagra intended for?

Viagra is a medicine specially intended or men that are unable to get an erection – i.e. those suffering from a disease called erectile dysfunction, or impotence. Viagra is efficient in 80% of all cases regardless of the reason that caused this condition. It’s not exactly correct to refer to ED as impotence, as the former describes the problem more accurately, while the latter is used for a wider range of sexual problems, including lack of desire, delayed ejaculation etc. Erectile dysfunction is characterized by repeated inability of the patient to achieve and maintain an erection that would be hard enough for the man to start and complete sexual intercourse. It can be caused by a wide variety of reasons – psychological, physical, environmental, or can have to do with a combination of factors.

The way Viagra works

The discovery of sildenafil citrate – active ingredient of Viagra – revolutionized the methods of erectile dysfunction treatment. Before its appearance the only treatment available involved local injection into the tissues of the penis, which was quite painful. However, with the appearance of sildenafil citrate that could block certain enzymes responsible for blood outflow from the tissues of the penis, treating ED became a lot easier and faster. When the man gets aroused this information is processed in the brain and a signal is sent to the nerve cells in the penis. The nerve cells immediately start producing nitric oxide that stimulates the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by guanylate cyclase enzymes. The cGMP causes dilation of the arteries in the penis therefore allowing the blood to enter the corpora cavernosa of the penis. The main problem with erection is that there isn’t enough cGMP produced to maintain a stable erection. Viagra works by blocking the production of PDE5 – a specific enzyme that decomposes cGMP not allowing it to build up and lead to a stable erection.

Viagra contraindications

Although taking Viagra is generally considered to be safe, there are a few contraindications that you need to be aware of. You are not supposed to start taking Viagra if you are currently using nitrate-based drugs (because of the risk of developing low blood pressure and getting a stroke or some other serious problems), if your doctor told you that you should abstain from having sex due to health reasons, if you have a recent history of heart attack or stroke, low blood pressure, severe liver or kidney problems, or a history of eye problems, including those running in the family. This medicine is also not recommended if you have a history of an allergic reaction to it, as the same reaction can happen again and be even more severe. Some medical conditions you have or used to have may prevent you from safely taking this medicine. Always make sure you let your health care provider know if you have or used to have any abnormal penis conditions, coronary artery disease, recent heart attack, kidney disease, sickle cell anemia, eye problems, blood system cancers, bleeding disorders, very high or low blood pressure, recent stroke, active stomach ulcers, heart failure, or liver disease. You may require a dose adjustment or your doctor will need to monitor you very carefully for any side effects you may get.

Taking Viagra

The dose you will be prescribed depends on the severity of your condition, your age and number of other factors that your health care provider will have to take into consideration. This medicine is supposed to be taken as needed but not more often than every 24 hours. It’s best to take this medicine with a full glass of water without crushing the tablet or breaking it in any way. It’s not recommended to take Viagra and drink alcohol, as possible side effects you may experience can be worsened; eating a fatty meal can slow down the absorption of the active ingredient and make your treatment less efficient.

Interactions with Viagra

Viagra has been reported to interact with quite a few drugs, and you need to be aware of this possibility. Make sure you always tell your doctor about using any other medicines along with Viagra, as some of them can cause interference and decrease the efficiency of your treatment. The following medicines are important to mention: rifamycins, mibefradil, azole antifungals, other medications for impotence, high blood pressure medicines, erythromycin, alpha-blocker medications, HIV protease inhibitors, and cimetidine. Please make sure you also report any other prescription or over-the-counter medications, as this list is not complete and there are other medications that will need to be reported.

Side effects of Viagra

Viagra is very well tolerated by most men taking it regularly. Side effects you may experience cannot be foreseen and may vary in intensity for different people. Please let your doctor know as soon as possible if you get such serious side effects as sudden vision loss, sweating, irregular heartbeat, swelling in your hands, shortness of breath, ringing in your ears, feeling light-headed, sudden hearing loss, chest pain, nausea, vision changes, and general ill feeling, as these symptoms can mean your treatment is not going as it should and you require urgent medical help. Mild side effects include nasal congestion, stomach pain, nausea, headaches, facial flushing, color vision problems, and diarrhea.

Overdose of Viagra

Never take more of Viagra than prescribed, as this is unlikely to make your treatment more efficient. Taking more than prescribed can result in an overdose and the following symptoms may be experienced: irregular heartbeat, feeling light-headed, nausea, chest pain, fainting or prolonged and painful erection. You are not supposed to take your dose of Viagra more often than every 24 hours.

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Impotence: Treatment Development and Outlook

Posted by admin in general, treatment on May 7th, 2009

Due to the high prevalence rate of erectile dysfunction, the responsibility of ED management has been shifted to the primary care physicians. As a result, primary care physicians now need to add questions about sexual functioning and satisfaction during the initial patient workup. Patients with ED is treated by the primary care physician, or referred to other health care professionals, depending on the problem presented. Treatment and management of individuals with ED includes patient education, particularly focusing on general sex education and sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling and providing an appropriate treatment of impotence, basing on its main cause are also included in the program. Up to 85% of impotence cases are caused by medical or physical problems, and so, it is essential that a healthy lifestyle and avoidance or moderation in smoking and alcohol are emphasized

Advances in suppositories, injectable medications, implants, and vacuum devices have stretched out the options for men seeking treatment for ED. The medical and surgical advancement in treating erectile dysfunction has helped increase the number of men to seek consult and treatment. Gene therapy for ED is now being tested in several centers in US, and may offer a long-lasting therapeutic approach for ED.

Most research now is focused on using organic sources of treatments and enhancing of the existing ones. Organic sources such as watermelon are being looked into as alternative means to treat impotence. You can read this at http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20080701/watermelon-a-natural-viagra. Institutes such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) sponsors programs that aim at understanding the causes of erectile dysfunction and at finding treatments to reverse its effects. NIDDK’s Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases supported the researchers who developed Viagra and up to this time, it continuously supports basic research regarding the mechanisms of erection. In addition, continuous support is given in the research of diseases that impair the normal body functions at the cellular and molecular levels, such as diabetes and high blood pressure. These are signs of a growing awareness and acceptance of the problem ED in the society.

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History of Treatments on Impotence

Posted by admin in general, treatment on May 7th, 2009

Before urologists recognized the physical nature of impotence, treatments generally fell into three categories—aphrodisiacs, surgery or transplants, and mechanical treatments.

Innumerable substances called aphrodisiacs have been used to increase sexual performance. Oysters, lobsters, eggs, and spices are some known aphrodisiacs. Noteworthy to mention, these sources are now recognized to do nothing more than irritate the genital organs. The user interprets this irritation as an increased sexual sensitivity, thereby creating the impression of increased performance.

In the 1880s, French physiologist Charles Edouard Brown-Sequard injected himself with an extract from a dog’s testicles that he claimed to have made him smarter, stronger, and more virile. In the 1920s, Eugen Steinach pioneered a surgical treatment of impotence called vasectomy. In the early twentieth century, Swiss professor Paul Niehans treated men with testicular cell injections. Another surgeon, Dr. Leo Stanley removed the testicles of recently executed prisoners and transplanted them into impotent prisoners. When the supply ran low, he substituted them with goat, ram, boar, and deer testicular tissues. It remains unclear whether any of these early attempts to treat impotence through the use of human or animal testicular tissue have actually worked. Most of the researchers mentioned eventually fell into disrepute.

In the US, Dr. John R. Brinkley broadcasted male impotence cures in his radio programs. He recommended expensive goat gland implants and “mercurochrome” injections as the paths to restore male virility. His medical license was revoked, and his radio license was not renewed.

For mechanical devices, many types of splints have been used to treat impotence, including hollowed-out antlers and horns. Although these initial attempts failed, penile prostheses are recently proven to be particularly reliable. During the 70s, surgeons began providing patients with inflatable penile implants.

The use of medications started in the ninth century until the sixteenth century. Muslim physicians and pharmacists in the medieval Islamic world were the first to prescribe medications for ED. They developed several methods of therapy, which include a single or a combination of drugs and food. Most were oral medications, though a few patients were also treated through topical and transurethral means. In 1983, modern drug therapy for ED made a significant exploit when British physiologist Giles Brindley, Ph.D. dropped his trousers and demonstrated to a shocked American Urological Association audience his phentolamine-induced erection. The drug he injected into his penis was a vasodilator, and the mechanism of action was muscle relaxation. This discovery established the fundamentals for the later development of orally-effective drug therapies. In 1998, a breakthrough in medicine occurred with the introduction of Viagra in the market as an effective drug against erectile dysfunction. The drug was originally researched for its beneficial effects in chronic increase in blood pressure and chest pains. A few years later, vardenafil and tadalafil are introduced as effective erections drugs.

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Alternative Ways to Manage Impotence

Posted by admin in male impotence, treatment on May 7th, 2009

Can Herbs Treat Impotence?

The use of herbal supplements in treating impotence is rapidly growing in popularity. Herbal use offers an alternative and effective treatment option for sexual dysfunction management. In addition to their spectacular healing properties, many alternative health supplements can promote general well-being and overall health, which cost a lot less than synthetic drugs. Most herbal products out in the market contain potent combinations of rejuvenating herbs that act in a synergistic manner for a more effective impotence management. They fight off fatigue and general and sexual weakness. More so, herbal formulation has many side benefits on overall health, other than sexual health.

The most commonly used herbs in impotence

Ø Gingko biloba: Gingko biloba improves blood supply to muscles of the penis without causing an increase in blood pressure, increases the male hormone, testosterone, and improves endurance

Ø Yohimbe: This herb from Africa improves transmission of nerve impulses that encourage sexual arousal

Ø Panax ginseng: This herb commonly seen in Eastern Asia improves endurance and increases sperm count and motility

Ø Fo – ti: A dried root of a twining vine, this herb increases sexual desire.

Ø Muira puama, damiana and sarsaparilla: These known herbs from the South America increases sexual desire

Ø Milk thistle and shizandra: These herbs cleanse and re – model the liver since liver damage can greatly decrease the production of the male hormone, testosterone

Ø Saw palmetto: Mainly used to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, this herb increases sexual desire

What Are the Limitations and Drawbacks of Herbal Supplements?

Herbal supplements contain active components that can affect the way your body functions. Like synthetic drugs, herbal supplements are not for everyone. Some herbs may not be recommended to certain individuals with pre – existing medical conditions. Individuals taking herbal supplements, in conjunction with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications are at risk for adverse reactions. The effects of the combination of these drugs are often lacking in clinical research, and so, its safety and compatibility are not fully determined.

Some herbs are contraindicated in pregnant or breast-feeding mothers since some of the herbal components have the ability to cross the placenta, a group of tissues that nourishes the child in the womb and are transferred through the breast milk. Herbal use is also avoided at least two weeks before surgeries. It was observed that a regular use of herbs causes decreased anesthetic effects and increases the risk for bleeding associated to surgeries.

It is emphasized that herbal remedies are considered dietary supplements, or add - ons by the FDA. They do not have the same rigorous testing and labeling process as over-the-counter and prescription medications. It is best that you consult your physician before deciding on herbal use. These herbs do not replace the medications prescribed to you by your physician.

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The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Benefits and Drawbacks of Conventional Drug Therapy in Male Impotence

Posted by admin in male impotence, treatment on May 7th, 2009

Is drug therapy beneficial in erection dysfunctions?

Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are the three most commonly prescribed oral medications for ED treatment. These drugs enhance the release of nitric oxide, a chemical that causes relaxation of the muscles of the penis, resulting in erections. Based on the testimonials of their users, these drugs seem to have truly lived up to their promise of bringing in new hope to those who suffer with ED. For so many years, various treatments have assured the public, time and time again that they have all the answers to bout your fight against ED, only to leave futile efforts and empty promises. But in 1998, a ground breaking event was made when Viagra was approved by the FDA for the treatment of ED. This breakthrough in medicine has paved the way for the release of other erection drugs, Levitra and Cialis in 2003.

These drugs are the treatment of choice for healthy men in any age, without limitations to any ethnic group. For as long as you have a healthy heart, a stroke – free medical history with normal and controlled blood pressure and blood sugar, you can be a candidate for this therapy. It is best that you consult your physician for further evaluation. Never try any of these drugs without the assistance and prescription of your physician.

Erection drugs are generally effective within 15 - 45 minutes of use, with the duration of erections occurring in hours. The effects of these drugs may last for 4 to 36 hours, depending on the dose. They should not be used more than once a day. Success rates increase with the number of attempts, so a man should not be discouraged if the drug does not work at first.

According to dailystrength.org, a website focused on people’s experience about ED, out of 124 members, 73% finds Viagra helpful; 79% for Cialis and 75% for Levitra.

Do these drugs have limitations and drawbacks?

Erection drugs are not absolute. These drugs do not assure full proof protection against side effects and adverse reactions. Though these drugs are 75% effective most of the time, erections drugs are not for everyone. They are contraindicated in people with heart diseases, history of strokes, constant increase in blood pressure and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Common side effects include flushing, upset stomach, headache, nasal congestion, back pain, and dizziness. There have been reports of fatal heart attacks and strokes in a small percentage of men taking Viagra. About 2.5% of men have temporary vision problems. In 2007, the FDA added a warning about potential hearing loss associated with the above mentioned oral drugs. A small number of men have experienced sudden hearing loss in one ear, which is sometimes accompanied by ringing and dizziness. There also have been a few reports of seizures in men taking sildenafil. These are rare occurrences, and it is not clear if there is any causal association with the drugs. Men taking erections drugs are predisposed to priapism. Priapism is a medical emergency, described as a sustained, painful, and unwanted erection. In addition to serious interactions with nitrates (nitroglycerides), ED oral drugs may also interact with certain antibiotics.

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