Health Canada approves Bayer's STAXYN for treatment of erectile dysfunction

BAYER HEALTHCAREAug 29 2011

Today, Bayer Inc. announced the Health Canada approval of STAXYN® (vardenafil hydrochloride 10 mg), the first orally disintegrating tablet for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) that lasts up to eight hours.  Now, for the first time in nearly a decade, younger Canadian men with ED have a new and effective treatment option that rapidly dissolves on the tongue, is roughly half the cost of most ED medications and fits their lifestyle needs.

"Physicians are increasingly seeing men in their 30s, 40s and early 50s with ED who have no obvious physical cause, such as diabetes, high cholesterol or hypertension, and it's actually stress acting as a trigger," said Dr. Gerald Brock, Professor in the Department of Surgery, Division of Urology at St. Joseph's Health Centre in London, Ontario.  "As a physician who commonly sees and treats these men, I am pleased that STAXYN is available for this patient population - it's a safe and effective option for men with ED, that dissolves quickly on the tongue and lasts up to eight hours when used as indicated."

Unlike men in their late 50s and 60s, research shows that younger ED patients (aged 35-55 years) attribute stress (59 per cent) as one of the main causes of their ED. These younger men who perceive their ED as temporary are proactive in seeking suitable treatment options for their condition.

STAXYN has features that are appealing to the younger ED patient, including:

• First orally disintegrating tablet that rapidly dissolves on the tongue within seconds;
• Sex can be initiated for up to eight hours after taking STAXYN;
• Available in Canada at roughly half the cost of most prescription ED medications per unit;
• Comes in a sleek, black, pocket-sized slide-out package with four tablets;
• STAXYN can be taken before or after a meal;
• The efficacy of STAXYN is not affected by moderate amounts of alcohol.

Research shows that 43 per cent of ED medication users split their pills to save money;  however, splitting pills can effect efficacy.  The affordability of STAXYN may address this behaviour.

"Unfortunately, splitting pills is a common practice among ED patients and is generally done to combat the lack of affordability of other ED treatments," said Dr. Francois Bénard, Associate Professor and Director of Urology, Saint-Luc Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.  "Now with STAXYN, my younger patients can have a treatment that works and meets their needs, without splitting pills."