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from the peyronie's menu
TOPICAL TREATMENT FOR PEYRONIE'S DISEASE
[Note: This is a press release from the company that makes the product and should be read in that light. According to reports, the drug is not covered by most insurance companies, and costs approximately $250.00 per month. Consult your physician. - Webmaster Phoenix5]
Complete Relief of Pain and Improved Sexual Function Cited in Study
SAN ANTONIO--(BW HealthWire)--April 25, 2000 via NewsEdge Corporation
There is new hope today for the estimated 1.34 million American men who suffer from Peyronie's Disease -- a painful condition which causes extreme curvature of the penis, often resulting in impotence and severe pain.
Prescription Dispensing Laboratories (PDL) in San Antonio, has developed a topical compound from an existing calcium channel blocking drug known as Verapamil, which effectively breaks down the plaque which causes the curvature, and promotes healthy tissue to surface.
A study conducted by Dr. William P. Fitch and released in the International Journal of Impotence Research treated 214 patients suffering from Peyronie's Disease for one to six months. The following results were noted:
-- 71.4% noticed decreased curvature
-- 86.5% had measurable improvements in plaque buildup
-- 55.1% reported improvement of overall quality and rigidity of
erection
-- 100% reported complete relief of pain These results led Dr. Fitch to conclude, "Topical Verapamil appears to be an effective and well tolerated drug for the treatment of Peyronie's Disease. The only side effects we had were less than a 1% incidence of a contact dermatitis rash occurring. And most of those rashes were cleared up immediately by giving topical steroids at the time we gave the Topical Verapamil."
Peyronie's Disease causes the formation of plaque (collagen) or scar tissue that develops in one of several portions of the penis. This plaque accumulation in the penis causes it to not stretch adequately during erection and results in curvature, pain and difficulty with sexual intercourse. The cause of the plaque accumulation is unknown but can result from trauma or may be genetic in origin. When asked about the prevalence of Peyronie's Disease, Dr. Fitch stated, "Historically, it affects about 1% of the male population. With the aging population worldwide however, that percentage is probably is increasing."
"It was devastating. I had a curvature that made intimate relations with my wife nearly impossible. I was depressed emotionally and my self-esteem was low; there seemed to be no hope for it," said Ray Wilder, a 62-year old man who suffered from Peyronie's Disease for eight years. Ray endured everything from radiation to painful injections in an attempt to treat the Peyronie's Disease.
Finally, his urologist prescribed Topical Verapamil, just developed and patented by clinical pharmacist Jerry Easterling of Prescription Dispensing Laboratories. The Verapamil gel, a calcium-channel blocker compound, is applied topically to the affected area twice daily. It migrates into the diseased tissue and causes the body to produce an enzyme that actually dissolves the plaque and encourages healthy tissue to replace it.
According to Dr. Fitch, "Topical Verapamil gives us a viable option that indeed does work in the majority of patients. And the best part of it is it's not something that causes a lot of pain. It is easy for the patient to apply and has minimal side effects."
Jerry Easterling, PDL's founder and CEO, recently received patent approval from the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office for this discovery, and worldwide patents are also pending. Plans for FDA application and approval processes are underway, and more than 350 practitioners are already prescribing topical Verapamil as a first line, non-surgical treatment for Peyronie's Disease.
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| This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace or amend professional medical advice. Unless otherwise stated and credited, the content of Phoenix5 (P5) is by and the opinion of and copyright © 2000 Robert Vaughn Young. All Rights Reserved. P5 is at <http://www.phoenix5.org>. P5's policy regarding privacy and right to reprint are at <www.phoenix5.org/infopolicy>.
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