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Following the European Union, the United States approved the low-dose erectile dysfunction drug Cialis for market release yesterday. The previous method of taking the medication before intercourse has been changed to a chronic disease treatment model for erectile dysfunction, allowing users to be "ready at any time." It is expected to be introduced domestically by the first half of next year at the earliest.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the 2.5 and 5 milligram dosages of Cialis yesterday, compared to the current 10 or 20 milligrams, making Cialis the first erectile dysfunction drug recommended for continuous daily use.
However, Dr. Huang Shih-tsung, a urologist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, pointed out that for general erectile dysfunction patients, low-dose medication is indeed more convenient for those with higher sexual activity frequency, eliminating the hassle and embarrassment of taking medication before intercourse, but not everyone needs it. Some patients with prostate hypertrophy find it inconvenient if they frequently have erections, as it affects urination.
Dr. Huang said that Cialis has a half-life of 17.5 hours, with the highest drug concentration at this time, and the effect can last about 36 hours. If taken daily at a low dose, it can maintain a stable blood concentration. The other two erectile dysfunction drugs, Viagra and Levitra, have a half-life of only 4 to 6 hours, making it more difficult to maintain a stable blood concentration with low doses.
The price of the 5 milligram Cialis has not been determined yet, while the current 20 milligram Cialis costs about 400 to 450 NT dollars. Dr. Hsieh Ju-tun, a urologist at National Taiwan University Hospital, believes that since health insurance does not cover erectile dysfunction treatment drugs, daily use would be a significant expense for patients.
Source: http://www. udn. com/ 2008/ 1/ 10/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4174268. shtml
Low-Dose Cialis to be Introduced as Early as Next Year
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the 2.5 and 5 milligram dosages of Cialis yesterday, compared to the current 10 or 20 milligrams, making Cialis the first erectile dysfunction drug recommended for continuous daily use.
However, Dr. Huang Shih-tsung, a urologist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, pointed out that for general erectile dysfunction patients, low-dose medication is indeed more convenient for those with higher sexual activity frequency, eliminating the hassle and embarrassment of taking medication before intercourse, but not everyone needs it. Some patients with prostate hypertrophy find it inconvenient if they frequently have erections, as it affects urination.
Dr. Huang said that Cialis has a half-life of 17.5 hours, with the highest drug concentration at this time, and the effect can last about 36 hours. If taken daily at a low dose, it can maintain a stable blood concentration. The other two erectile dysfunction drugs, Viagra and Levitra, have a half-life of only 4 to 6 hours, making it more difficult to maintain a stable blood concentration with low doses.
The price of the 5 milligram Cialis has not been determined yet, while the current 20 milligram Cialis costs about 400 to 450 NT dollars. Dr. Hsieh Ju-tun, a urologist at National Taiwan University Hospital, believes that since health insurance does not cover erectile dysfunction treatment drugs, daily use would be a significant expense for patients.
Source: http://www. udn. com/ 2008/ 1/ 10/ NEWS/ HEALTH/ HEA1/ 4174268. shtml