On 14 March 2023, the UK Medicines regulator (MHRA) approved an application to reclassify the erectile dysfunction medication Cialis. When marketed as Cialis Together (tadalafil 10mg), it will be a ‘P’ (pharmacy) medication, and so available ‘over the counter’ in pharmacies – see MHRA reclassifies Cialis Together tablets to a Pharmacy medicine – GOV.UK. This follows the 2018, ‘P’ classification of Viagra Connect (sildenafil 50mg) which has been available OTC, without a prescription, since then.
This decision is good news for men’s health …. Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition, so it’s important men feel they have fast access to quality and legitimate care
Dr Laura Squire, MHRA’s Chief Officer for Healthcare, Quality and Access
Dr Fox now supplies prescription weight loss medication, orlistat, for people with a BMI over 28 kg/m². Orlistat has been available in the UK since 1998 and has helped millions of people to lose weight successfully.
The following orlistat preparations are available from Dr Fox:
Veganism is a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose.
Vegan diets have become increasingly popular, because of ethical, environmental, or health reasons. A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including dairy and eggs, either replacing products with vegetable and fruit based look-alikes, or eating a completely different type of diet which may include raw fruits and vegetables.
When it comes to medicines, it is more difficult to make a choice which is true to pure vegan principles and for your own health you may find that you do need to take a medicine which is not totally vegan. It is important to do your research carefully and to be clear of your own red lines. Your decision should then be taken in consultation with your doctor.
There is currently very little research into Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS), probably in part to it being rare and also the varying side effects that sufferers experience. Not all doctors are aware of this syndrome, however it was recognised in the USA in their list of rare and genetic diseases in 2015.
What is PFS?
Finasteride 1mg, also known by the brand name Propecia, is used to treat male pattern baldness. It is also used at a higher dose of 5mg to treat men with symptoms from enlarged prostates. As with all drugs, there is the potential to experience side effects from the medication – erectile dysfunction and reduced libido being the most common. In most cases these side effects settle when the medication is stopped and is no longer in the body’s system. However, rarely, some men continue to experience sexual dysfunction alongside other neurological and physical symptoms and this has been termed PFS. It can be diagnosed if the symptoms persist 3 months after stopping the medication and there are no pre-existing illnesses or current medical conditions or medications that could account for the symptoms.
The progestogen-only contraceptive pill (POP), also sometimes known as the ‘mini-pill’ is now more widely available. Lovima and Hana can be bought from a pharmacist without the need for an appointment with a GP or at a sexual health clinic. You can also order these from Dr Fox alongside other POPs Cerelle or Cerazette and get up to 12 months at a time. All these pills are medically the same, consisting of 75 micrograms of the progestogen desogestrel.
Progestogen-only pills may have fewer side effects compared to the combined contraceptive pill, but there are also many other benefits.
Every medication supplied in the UK goes through a strict process of development and monitoring to ensure it is effective and safe. Once it has passed clinical trials the drug manufacturer can apply for a licence. This licence is only for the problems that it has been used for in the trial and shown to be effective for. All medicines used in the UK must have a licence before being issued to patients. This is done by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.
