Erectile Dysfunction Medication now more Affordable for Australian Men

27 August 2020

Erectile dysfunction medication now more affordable for Australian men.

The PDE5 inhibitor ‘tadalafil’ is now ‘off patent’ making the popular erectile dysfunction medication more affordable for Australian men. “This will be a significant cost saving for many of our urological patients with erectile dysfunction, including those experiencing side effects from diabetes or prostate cancer treatment” says Dr Darren Katz, Andrology Special Advisory Group leader for the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Erectile dysfunction affects around 1 in 5 men in Australia.

Sold in Australia under the trade name Cialis, tadafil is one of a number of medications that have benefited men with erectile dysfunction; impotence or the inability to get or keep an erection. It is also used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) including difficulty with urination.

“While this has proven a very effective treatment for some men, it has not come cheap with men paying around $200 per month. As of this week the generic version of the drug will be around $20 to $30,” said Dr Katz.

“We would hope the greater affordability of this drug will stop men wasting their money on unproven and potentially risky ‘treatments’ over the internet. Not only do these often not work, many contain ingredients that may interact in a dangerous way with medications a patient is already taking, including those for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease – all conditions often associated with erectile dysfunction.

“While it’s a sensitive topic we encourage all men with erectile dysfunction to consult a doctor. Erectile dysfunction is usually a symptom of underlying psychological or physical issues or a combination of both so it’s important any underlying conditions don’t go undiagnosed. There is emerging evidence that men with erectile dysfunction may also have heart disease which puts them at risk of a heart attack. As well as medications, urologists can offer a range of other effective treatments for men with erectile dysfunction appropriate to their individual circumstances,” says Dr Katz.

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