The drug could enhance men's sexual pleasure
Scientists believe they are close to developing a pill to boost male
stamina, which could become as popular as Viagra.
The drug, used to treat Parkinson's disease, has been found to raise
a man's chances of sustaining multiple orgasms during sex.
In trials, the drug Cabergoline was prescribed to minimize the effects
of the hormone prolactine, which is produced by men at the point of
orgasm.
The hormone has the effect of reducing a man's desire for more sex
by preventing new erections.
Normally, the 60 test people, all healthy males, between the ages
of 22 and 31, needed a break of 19 minutes between love making.
However, after taking Cabergolin, they were able to have several
orgasms within a few minutes.
Medical psychologist Manfred Schedlowski, who was involved in the
trials at Essen in Germany, said the drug raised the libido to enable
the male to orgasm again more quickly.
He said: "We saw that prolactine rises after orgasm and then
thought maybe prolactine is a negative feedback system.
"Subjects who took this drug had decreased prolactine levels,
and reported their orgasm was better and there was a shorter refractory
period.
New developments
"We interviewed these subjects and found they were able to have
multiple orgasms in very rapid succession.
"This is sitting very nicely with our hypothesis that orgasms
and sexual drive are steered by prolactine and dopamine in the brain."
Cabergoline has been on the market in Germany for several months
and is used to treat Parkinson's disease and prevent women producing
milk when they want to stop breast feeding.
The drug had no side effects on men during the tests, according to
an article to be published in the International Journal of Impotence
Research.
The researchers now plan to carry out trials to investigate whether
Cabergoline will have the same effect on women.
The market for drugs like Viagra has swelled and is thought to be
worth about £1bn.
It is thought Cabergoline could have similar potential.