Research by a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) professor shows an association between hearing loss and the use of the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra. Findings published May 18 in Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery indicate a potential for long-term hearing loss following use of Viagra, and possibly following use of other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) drugs such as Cialis and Levitra, although results on those drugs are inconclusive.
"It appears from these findings that the current government warning regarding hearing loss and the use of PDE-5i medications is warranted," said study author Gerald McGwin a professor of epidemiology in the UAB School of Public Health. "Though there are limitations to this study, it is prudent that patients using these medications be warned about the signs and symptoms of hearing impairment and be encouraged to seek immediate medical attention to potentially forestall permanent damage."
In 2007, following the report of several case studies potentially linking PDE-5i use and sudden hearing loss, the Food and Drug Administration announced labeling changes for PDE-5i medications so that the risk of hearing problems was more prominently displayed. McGwin said this is the first epidemiologic study to evaluate the relationship between PDE-5i drugs and long-term hearing loss.
McGwin examined data on 11,525 men over 40 years of age gathered by the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a survey conducted by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality between 2003 and 2006. Men who reported use of PDE-5i medications were twice as likely to also report hearing loss as were men who had not used the drugs.
McGwin said the relationship was strongest for men reporting use of sildenafil (Viagra) over those who used tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra), a finding he attributed in part to a small sample size for both of the latter drugs. McGwin said the findings indicated an elevated but not statistically significant increase in hearing loss for users of tadalafil and vardenafil.
PDE-5i drugs were originally designed to treat pulmonary hypertension and are now used extensively in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). McGwin said one important consideration in evaluating the nature of the relationship between the drugs and hearing is the existence of a plausible biological mechanism of how these drugs might cause hearing loss.
Wed,21 December 2011
While some problems need the attention of doctors, most common problems can be treated at home. Unless you suffer from Peyronie's disease which requires more tha
Mon,19 December 2011
Valentine's Day is also the National Impotence Day. The fact that the day that is meant for expressing love falls on the same day which represents the c
Sat,17 December 2011
The most common cause for erectile dysfunction is impaired blood flow into the penis, which is a common result of arteriosclerosis and diabetes. In fact, in about fo
Thu,15 December 2011
Just when you thought that only men deal with impotence, wait until you hear women complaining about it. The problem with erectile dysfunction doesn't only becom
Tue,13 December 2011
Many people (men including) are not aware of what the main causes of the most common sexual dysfunctions really are. Bad eating habits and high cholesterol. This is