End of Viagra? FDA approved a gel against erectile dysfunction

The US Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, has approved the first-ever over-the-counter erectile dysfunction gel. The product, named Eroxon, is expected to work within 10 minutes, potentially signalling an end to the reliance on pills such as Viagra. Eroxon, developed by British pharmaceutical company Futura Medical, is already available without a prescription in Europe.

The FDA has described Eroxon as a unique treatment. It operates by creating a physical cooling then warming effect that stimulates blood flow in the penis. Futura Medical's website reports that 65% of the product's users were able to have sexual intercourse following its application.

Pricing for the U.S. market remains unconfirmed, though it is currently available in the UK for around $31. No announcement has been made as to when Eroxon will be available in the U.S.

Erectile dysfunction, a disorder characterized by the inability to maintain an erection adequate for sex, affects around 30 million people in the United States. According to Harvard Health, the prevalence of this condition increases with age, affecting almost 50% of men aged 75 or older.