FDA Approves Cialis For Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction

FDA has approved Eli Lilly and Company's Cialis (tadalafil) for once daily use (2.5 mg and 5 mg), an oral medication taken once per day to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). When Cialis for once daily use is taken daily, men can attempt sexual activity at anytime between doses.

Currently available in parts of Europe, this low-dose daily treatment option of Cialis may be most appropriate for men with ED who anticipate more frequent sexual activity (e.g. twice weekly). For other men, Cialis taken as needed - the previously approved dosing regimen - may be most appropriate.

In clinical trials, when taken without restrictions on the timing of sexual activity, Cialis for once daily use improved erectile function over the course of therapy.

"ED can be a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure," said Ridwan Shabsigh, M.D., Director of the Division of Urology at Maimonides Medical Center in New York. "As a urologist, I know couples like to have choices and will appreciate the availability of Cialis for once daily use."

Cialis for use as needed transformed the U.S. ED market when it was approved in 2003 as the first and only PDE5 inhibitor clinically proven to provide sustained efficacy for up to 36 hours. Cialis for once daily use provides a new option for men who may be looking for a dosing option that can be taken without regard to timing of sexual activity. In consultation with their physician, patients now have the freedom to choose the dosing regimen that is appropriate for them.

"We strive to provide patients with solutions that fit their needs and Cialis for once daily use delivers on this promise," said Shawn Heffern, Cialis U.S. Director of Brand Marketing at Lilly. "Now, patients have two options - some may prefer the up to 36 hours of efficacy provided by Cialis for use as needed while others may want the unique benefit provided by this daily dosing option."

Additionally, Lilly's wholesale pricing for Cialis for once daily use will be comparable to Cialis for use as needed such that patients who currently use two or more pills per week of Cialis for use as needed should not experience higher treatment costs with Cialis for once daily use.

The FDA's approval of Cialis for once daily use was based upon the evaluation of the comprehensive data package for the daily dosing option. The data include results from three phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled studies. Men with ED who participated in these clinical studies and who took tadalafil 2.5 mg and 5 mg once daily without regard to their timing of sexual activity experienced improved erectile function compared with those taking placebo. Cialis 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg have been approved in the United States for as-needed treatment of ED since November 2003.

The most commonly reported adverse events were headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, nasal congestion, flushing and pain in limb. Most adverse events reported with tadalafil were transient and generally mild or moderate.