FDA approves new drug for erectile dysfunction

First new drug in a decade

By Andrea K. Walker

12:24 PM EDT, April 30, 2012


Men now have a new option to treat erectile dysfunction.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the new drug Stendra to treat the illness that causes problems in the sex lives of 30 million men.

It is the first erectile dysfunction drug in a decade. And its reacts faster than other drugs on the market meaning men may be able to add spontaneity back into the bedroom.

Men take the drug, which increases blood flow to the penis, as needed 30 minutes before engaging in sex.

They'll still have to take some precautions like when taking other drugs on the market. For example, Stendra can't be taken with nitrates, such as those used to treat chest pain, because it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, the FDA said.

Remember the movie Something's Gotta Give, when the doctor told Jack Nicholson's character he should be truthful about taking Viagra because it might cause a heart attack when mixed with other medications?

FDA officials said Stendra expands the treatment options for men.

Other erectile dysfunction medications on the market cause side effects some men can't handle. The other drugs are Pfizer's Viagra, Eli Lilly's Cialis and  Evitra, manufactured by Bayer Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline's evitra.