The Observer Viagra allows impotent men to have sex - albeit for a limited time. But now a rival drug is offering men hope that sex can last longer. A new clinical trial shows that Cialis can enable impotent men to enjoy a spontaneous sex life, which the makers claim will enhance the quality of their relationships. Viagra takes effect an hour after taking the little blue pill and the benefits only last for four to five hours.
Users complain that it means sex has to be carefully planned.
Drug company Eli Lilley, which makes Cialis, claims that its effects start within 20 minutes and last for at least 24 hours. Impotent men are then able to have intercourse spontaneously, or to have sex at night and again on waking in the morning. The claim was made as the results of a clinical trial on 284 impotent men were presented this weekend at the annual scientific meeting of the American Urological Association in California. The researchers believe that many of the men carried on being responsive for up to 48 hours. Cialis proved as effective as Viagra, with both drugs helping more than 80 per cent of men with erectile dysfunction, with limited side-effects.