Erectile dysfunction drugs OK for diabetic men

Viagra and similar drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction, often referred to as ED, work for men with diabetes and appear to be safe. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of ED, and experts estimate that diabetic men are about three times more likely than other men to deal with erection problems at some point. ED is also typically more severe and difficult to treat in men with diabetes Researchers from the Lady Davis Carmel Medical Center in Israel reviewed eight clinical trials conducted since 1998 to assess the safety and effectiveness of ED drugs for diabetic men. Each compared one of three ED drugs on the market - Viagra, Levitra or Cialis - with a placebo, or inactive pill. All three drugs belong to a class of medications called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which enhance blood flow to the penis and can allow men with ED to maintain an erection. Together the drugs have altered the management of ED in general but until now there had been no systematic review of how well the drugs work for diabetic men. Across the eight studies analysed, the 976 men who were given a PDE-5 inhibitor were nearly four times more likely than the 741 given a placebo to say the treatment had improved their sexual function. They were also five times more likely to have a side effect - most commonly headache, flushing, nasal symptoms, upset stomach and temporary vision disturbances. Only one study reported serious side effects, including two heart attacks and two cases of congestive heart failure. It is clear from the analysis that PDE-5 inhibitors should be considered a primary treatment for erectile dysfunction in diabetic men. They have proved to be effective and safe. However, the drugs are not for every man with ED. They can interact with certain other medications, such as nitrates used to treat chest pain. There have also been reports of a form of permanent vision loss called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy among men on PDE-5 inhibitors. Diabetes is one of the risk factors for the eye condition. Men with diabetes need to talk with their doctors about the benefits and potential risks of ED drugs.