CHICAGO -- Men thought a chewable version of sildenafil (Viagra Jet) made the drug work faster and longer, although the tablet's efficacy was no different than that of the traditional pill, a Mexican study found.
Nearly half (46%) of men in the study preferred the chewable tablet, Eusebio Rubio-Aurioles, MD, PhD, of the Asociación Mexicana para la Salud Sexual in La Joya, and colleagues reported here at the World Meeting on Sexual Medicine.
Action Points
- Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
- This randomized cross-over study found that a chewable formulation of sildenafil did not differ in efficacy from the standard oral tablet, but there were differences in patient perceptions.
Although that didn't represent a significant difference between them and those who preferred the standard oral tablet, the positive perceptions among those who preferred the chewable version included greater efficacy, faster onset of action, longer duration of the therapeutic effect, and longer-lasting erections.
Despite differences in perception, however, the researchers found that efficacy was generally the same for both versions.
Patients had statistically significant improvements in erectile function and hardness no matter which version of the drug they took (P<0.001 for all), and none of the improvements were significantly different from each other.
"It's not surprising that both formulations are effective," Rubio-Aurioles said, concluding that chewable sildenafil is a viable alternative to the standard oral tablet, especially for patients who have trouble swallowing pills.
"It was all in their perception," Rubio-Aurioles added, noting that some pharmacokinetic studies have shown the chewable drug is actually absorbed more slowly.
Chewy sildenafil appeared on the Mexican market last year in response to research showing a need for such a formulation of the drug in that country, particularly for patients who had trouble swallowing pills. The chewable version is not available in the U.S.
Rubio-Aurioles and colleagues conducted a randomized, crossover trial in which patients took 100 mg sildenafil in either chewable or swallowed form for 4 weeks, then switched to the other formulation. Patients could also lower the dose to 50 mg if desired.
At the end of the study, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups.
A total of 61 men, mean age 52, were enrolled, with 54 completing both phases. Ultimately, 10 did in-depth interviews while 22 participated in focus groups.
Then men reported that they considered the chewable version to be convenient, discreet, and easy to administer, and thought that it had a lower intensity of adverse effects. Rubio-Aurioles noted that some compared it to having candy.
However, there were some negative comments. He said many complained about the taste, which some said left a residue in the mouth or produced discomfort in the throat. One patient also said that his partner complained about the taste.
Patients also complained that the tablet turned their tongues blue, was too large, and sometimes required obtaining a glass of water anyway.
Disclosures
The study was supported by Pfizer.
Rubio-Aurioles reported relationships with Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Probiomed-Mexico, y Bayer de Mexico.
Primary Source
World Meeting on Sexual Medicine
Source Reference: Rubio-Aurioles E, et al "A qualitative and quantitative study to investigate patient perceptions with a new formulation of sildenafil citrate in chewable form (Viagra Jet) compared with the standard oral tablet (Viagra)" WMSM 2012; Abstract 37.