Erectile Dysfunction Gel Approved for Over the Counter Use

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Eroxon (Eroxoff would have been cooler) this month for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

There are two surprising aspects of Eroxon — one is that it’s a gel, as opposed to a pill like Viagra, and it will be sold without a prescription. There is no timeline yet on when it will be available at stores, but the FDA approval means it’s imminent.

While a pill like Viagra can take a half hour to kick in, Eroxon’s maker says the gel leads to erections “within 10 minutes.” There are relatively scant details on how the drug works, according to The New York Times, but it apparently “has a cooling and warming effect that stimulates the nerves of the penis,” prompting blood to fill the body part.

Eroxon is already available without a prescription throughout Europe, including the U.K. The new gel joins other options for ED, including pills, injections, penile suppositories, and even vacuum devices.