FDA says impotence drug ad for Levitra makes unsubstantiated claims

Main Category: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation
Article Date: 17 Apr 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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The FDA has told Bayer and GSK to withdraw a 15-second television ad for Levitra, an impotence drug, because it makes claims which are unsubstantiated. The FDA referred to the 'My Man' ad in a letter.

The advert says that Levitra is superior to other drugs for erectile dysfunction (impotence). As the makers cannot substantiate this claim (says the FDA) they have been ordered to pull the ad.

The FDA, in a letter to Bayer, says the advert does not mention Levitra's side effects.

The advert has a woman in it who implies it is the best drug around (for treating impotence).

What is erectile dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called impotence, is defined as having a consistent problem getting and/or keeping an erection sufficient for you to complete sexual intercourse.

Many men have occasional or temporary erection problems, but that does not always mean erectile dysfunction will become a chronic problem. For the problem to be diagnosed as erectile dysfunction, it must happen on a regular basis. It may not occur every time a man wants to have sex, but it does occur repeatedly, over time.

Erectile dysfunction is not a disease itself. It is usually a symptom of some underlying medical condition.

Different men can experience different degrees of erectile dysfunction.