FDA approves new over-the-counter ED drug. Is it a game-changer?

Here’s a fact men hate to hear: Almost half of all men living in the U.S. will experience erectile dysfunction (ED), especially after age 50. That’s the bad news. But the good news is there’s a new medication that requires no more waiting to see your doctor for erectile dysfunction treatment. Treating ED has been simplified by driving to your pharmacy to pick up ED medication. No prescription is required.

A new over-the-counter medication called MED3000 (Eroxon), approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and developed by U.K.-based Futura Medical, is the first topical  gel OTC medication for ED. The medication claims to “help you get an erection within 10 minutes.” The accessibility and convenience of treating ED has never been easier and may be a game-changer moving forward.

While this news sounds exciting, allowing men to skip visiting their doctor for an ED prescription, any man experiencing ED should be concerned why. ED can be a red flag warning for serious and potentially deadly diseases of heart disease or type 2 diabetes. A man’s ED from either of these diseases needs its own separate medical treatment that requires medical supervision by a physician. Just because an OTC medication may treat ED does not mean it will treat the underlying cause of ED, which is likely due to heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

What are the possible advantages of Eroxon?

Anytime a new medication is granted FDA approval, it’s a good idea to think logically about its advantages and possible disadvantages of the medicine. Here’s a look at the advantages of Eroxon:

• Convenient, easily accessible, no prescription required
• Targets the penis directly and has a “quick onset of action” that men want
• The quick reaction time is a game-changer for spontaneity compared to prescription medications like Viagra and Cialis, which generally take at least 30 minutes or more to take effect.
• Side effects are minimal that have included headaches or nausea.

What are the possible disadvantages of Eroxon?

Practically all medications will have a few downsides.  This is to be expected and a factor in determining whether using Eroxon is right for all men with ED. Here are possible disadvantages men should keep in mind:

• Men with ED should still be strongly encouraged to inform their healthcare provider about their condition. Up to half of all men do not get ED, so the other half should investigate why.  ED has been attributed to medical problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, low testosterone, and sleep apnea. While the new ED medication may help treat the sexual problem, it won’t address serious underlying health problems that need a doctor’s intervention. Setting up a doctor’s appointment allows a man’s healthcare provider to evaluate other health conditions men may not be aware of. 
• Men, who are unhealthy and want to use the new ED medication, may find that it’s not as beneficial as expected.  Eating a nutrient-poor diet, skipping exercise, getting insufficient sleep, and leading a stressful lifestyle, can hinder the effectiveness of any ED medication. Men should ensure they are leading a healthy lifestyle, which can help correct ED by itself.
• Eroxon is not yet available in the U.S. The company is still working on when to introduce it in the U.S., and there has yet to be a determination of what the medication will cost. 

Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy.  Dr. Samadi is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.