In 1998, Viagra was the first and only oral pill to be approved by the FDA to treat impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction.

Scientists have been trying for many years to develop new ways to get a drug like Viagra into the blood stream without going via the stomach to reduce the risk of side effects.

But a team at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, along with scientists at Cairo University have made a breakthrough  and developed the first stick on patch to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), containing the same active ingredient in Viagra – Sildenafil Citrate.

The patch can take effect within minutes and still be effective beyond 10 hours, compared to Viagra which takes 30-60 minutes to take effect and is only effective for up to 4 hours.

Men will no longer suffer from the side effects which are caused by ingesting the little blue pill such as indigestion, migraines and headaches.

The new skin plaster, which can be worn on the upper arm or abdomen, has been tested on rats and the results were promising.

There are currently no indications as to when (or if) it will be approved for use in the UK.

If it does get approved, it will only be available as a Prescription Only Medication (POM) like Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

So, until the patch actually becomes available, if you, or someone you love, have been diagnosed with ED, then perhaps prescription medication (such as Cialis, Levitra, or Viagra) would be an appropriate treatment.

For more information about ED or prescription medication to treat it, or for a free private online consultation (with a UK GMC-registered doctor) about treatment for the condition, please CLICK HERE.

To read more about the new Viagra patch, please CLICK HERE.