Levitra of benefit to diabetic men

Unlike the global erectile dysfunction drug market leader, Pfizer's Viagra (sildenafil), Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline's Levitra (vardenafil) appears to be of benefit to diabetic men, according to the results of studies presented at the American Diabetes Association in Orlando, Florida, a factor which could help the latter firms in their fight for market share of the huge ED market; Viagra's annual sales are in the region of $2 billion.

Men being treated for diabetes are three times more likely to have ED than those in the general population. In addition, more than 50% of diabetic men develop ED within 10 years of being diagnosed with diabetes, and the condition tends to be difficult to treat in diabetic men, notes a Bayer/GSK press statement.

Study results showed that men with diabetes and ED who were previously unsuccessful with Viagra were able to obtain an erection sufficient for successful intercourse on 33% of attempts with Levitra compared with 13% with placebo. In addition, 58% of diabetic men in the study experienced improved erections with Levitra compared with placebo. The results of the study, referred to as the PROVEN (Patient RespOnse with VardENafil in Sildenafil Non-Responders) trial, evaluated Levitra in men with ED who were historically unresponsive to Viagra.