Lilly Icos announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cialis (tadalafil), a new oral PDE5 inhibitor, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Cialis was shown to improve erectile function compared to placebo up to 36 hours following dosing. In clinical studies, the ability to have sexual activity was improved in some patients at 30 minutes after taking a dose. Cialis will be available in pharmacies in early December.

"Cialis is an exciting new option for men with ED," said Dr Francois Eid, clinical associate professor of urology, Weill Cornell Medical College. "Because Cialis works for up to 36 hours, it provides a man and his partner substantial freedom to choose the moment that is right for intimacy. With Cialis, the need for planning intimacy may be reduced."

The safety and efficacy of Cialis was evaluated in 22 clinical trials in more than 4,000 patients. Cialis was shown to be effective in treating ED in patients 27 to 87 years old, including patients with other underlying medical conditions. In two of these trials, men had ED associated with diabetes or following radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

"Cialis is a new treatment option for erectile dysfunction that will be available for men in the United States," said Sidney Taurel, chairman and chief executive officer of Eli Lilly and Company. "Erectile dysfunction is a significant medical condition that affects millions of men in the US Men tell us they want an ED treatment that will reduce the constraints of planning and allow them to choose the moment that is right for intimacy."

"Cialis is now available in approximately 50 countries and has been used by more than one million men worldwide, " said Paul Clark, Icos chairman and chief executive officer. "The early success of Cialis in other markets makes us confident that American men and their partners will appreciate this new treatment option."

Cialis is not for everyone. Men taking any form of nitrates (often used to control anginal chest pain) should never take Cialis, as the combination may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Men taking medicines called "alpha blockers" (sometimes prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure), with the exception of Flomax1 (tamsulosin HCl) 0.4 mg once-daily, should not take Cialis. This combination could also cause a significant drop in blood pressure.

In clinical trials, the most common side effects with Cialis were headache, upset stomach, backache and muscle ache. Most men weren't bothered by the side effects enough to stop taking Cialis. In placebo controlled Phase III clinical trials, discontinuation rates in patients treated with Cialis 10 mg or 20 mg was 3.1 per cent, compared to 1.4 per cent in placebo treated patients.

Cialis is not recommended in patients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke within the last six months, or patients who have significantly low blood pressure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, severe liver impairment or retinitis pigmentosa (a rare eye disorder). Men should discuss their health status with their doctors to ensure that Cialis is right for them and that they are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. Cialis does not protect a man or his partner from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.