A NASAL spray to treat erectile dysfunction is being trialled by scientists.
It could work in as little as five minutes, giving it the edge over pills like Viagra which take more than half an hour.
GettySpraying the drug into a nostril absorbs it into the body faster, experts say[/caption]
The spray, named Spontan, uses a drug called vardenafil which the NHS already prescribes in pill form to help blokes with bedroom troubles.
A quick puff into the nostril absorbs it into the bloodstream faster and means it can be used just moments before sex.
Lee Rodne, CEO of Australian inventors LTR Pharma, said: “This is a truly innovative, fast-acting treatment which is on track to disrupt the established market.
“Current oral tablets such as Viagra can take up to one hour to take effect and many men are dissatisfied with the results as they don’t always work or in the time desired.”
The study will compare the nasal spray with standard erection pills to prove that it works and is safe.
Early trials found it gets men ready for action within just five to 15 minutes by increasing blood flow.
Millions of men in the UK suffer erectile dysfunction – around half of over-40s – and it can be triggered by ageing, alcohol, stress and high blood pressure.
The NHS last year spent £18.2million on prescriptions for meds to treat ED.
Vardenafil – the active medicine in the spray – accounted for £1.5m of the NHS spend.
Health chiefs in the UK this month gave the green light for a second erectile dysfunction pill to be sold without prescription.
Bosses at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ruled Cialis is safe for many to take without seeing a doctor.
Dr Laura Squire of the MHRA said: “This decision is good news for men’s health.
“It not only gives them greater control over their choices but increases awareness of erectile dysfunction.”