FDA Labels Impotence Drugs with Hearing Loss Warning
Who hasn’t snickered at the television commercials that warn of erections that last longer than anyone in their right mind would want them to? But the recent labeling change by the FDA, adding hearing loss as a possible side effect to impotence drugs, is not a laughing matter.
When someone published a story about hearing loss following a dose of Viagra, the FDA searched its database for reports of hearing loss for all erectile dysfunction drugs that are based on phosphodiesterease Type 5 inhibitors (PDE5.) That includes Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and Revatio, a drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension that uses the same active ingredient.
They found 29 reports of sudden hearing loss occurring two hours to two days after taking the drugs. For one-third of the affected men, the loss was temporary, but that leaves two out of three men with longer lasting impairment, though it can’t be said that it is permanent. The hearing loss was almost always one-sided. Sometimes it was accompanied by ringing in the ears and dizziness.
It’s not clear whether the hearing loss is directly related to the drug, which is taken by many people who might have other risk factors for hearing loss, including age, diabetes or heart disease. But the FDA figured it was enough of a red flag to change the label on all of those products and issue a Healthcare Professional Sheet for providers.
The drugs are still considered safe when taken according to directions, however all medications carry risks. This is something you may want to discuss with your doctor and consider possible alternatives.
Exercise Can Help
The Harvard Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which followed 31,000 men without prostate cancer, showed that men who exercise 3-5 hours a week have a 30% less risk of impotence. (Annals of Internal Medicine, August 5, 2003.)
Aerobic exercise like walking, running and biking are particularly effective. Exercise increases circulation and reduces the risk of heart disease. Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of heart disease. So instead of opting for a prescription, you might want to discuss an exercise regimen with your doc and see if your diet needs an overhaul.
Many people report increased desire and more frequent sex when they take up an exercise regimen. The effect is probably due to a number of factors, including increased circulation, energy, better sleep and feeling better about oneself.
