Monday, June 14, 2004

VIAGRA MAY BE SUPERIOR TO APOKYN IN TREATMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION, STUDY SHOWS

New study findings show that Pfizer Inc.'s Viagra (sildenafil citrate) may be more effective than Bertek Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s pharmaceutical brand Apokyn (apomorphine hydrochloride) in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction.

Researchers conducted an open-label study to compare the safety and efficacy of Viagra and Apokyn among 139 men with erectile dysfunction who were naive to therapy. The trial consisted of two treatment periods both lasting eight weeks, which were separated by a two-week washout period.

The patients were randomly assigned to receive either Viagra then Apokyn or Apokyn then Viagra. Dose-titration was permitted on both drugs.

The primary efficacy endpoint was the erectile function domain on the International Index of Erectile Function. Secondary endpoints included diary data, the remaining IIEF domains, overall assessment questions and the Erectile Dysfunction Index of Treatment Satisfaction survey.

Overall, 83 men completed the study. According to the outcomes, the erectile function domain scores following treatment with Viagra and Apokyn were 25.2 and 15.9, respectively. Following treatment with Viagra, the successful intercourse rate was 75.1 percent compared with a success rate of 35.3 percent for Apokyn. In addition, the EDITS score was 82.5 for Viagra and 46.8 for Apokyn. Ninety-six percent of the patients reportedly preferred Viagra.

The data appear in the June issue of BJU International.