Levitra Effective in Men with ED, Cardiovascular Problems

A recent trial determined that usingvardenafil HCl (Levitra) to treat erectiledysfunction (ED) in men with cardiovascular-related conditions showed the firstdose to be more effective than placebo.The cardiovascular conditions reviewedincluded high blood pressure, high cholesterol,and/or diabetes. The randomized,placebo-controlled study of 600patients with ED used a single, openlabel,10-mg dose of vardenafil. Aftercompleting the sexual encounter profile(SEP), success was determined by penetration(SEP-2) and erection maintenanceuntil completion of intercourse (SEP-3). Inthe 1-week period, 87% of patients usingvardenafil were successful with SEP-2,and 74% were successful with SEP-3.SEP-2 success was achieved in 84% ofmen with high blood pressure, 84% ofmen with high cholesterol, and 75% ofmen with diabetes. Participants whoachieved SEP-2 success were randomizedto receive vardenafil or placebo foran additional 12 weeks. At the end of thatportion of the study, those taking the 10-mg vardenafil had an SEP-2 success rateof 83%, compared with 56% for thosetaking placebo. Results were published inthe November 2006 issue of theInternational Journal of Clinical Practice.

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.