Journal article
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in male sexual dysfunction.
- Kuthe A Department of Biochemistry, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland. akuethe@gmx.de
- 2003-08-15
Published in:
- Current opinion in urology. - 2003
3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases
Carbolines
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5
Erectile Dysfunction
Humans
Imidazoles
Male
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
Piperazines
Purines
Sildenafil Citrate
Sulfones
Tadalafil
Triazines
Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
English
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors are preferred by most men for the oral treatment of erectile dysfunction. In many guidelines, this therapy is recommended as first-line therapy because of convenience, high efficacy, and low rates of side-effects. Sildenafil was the first drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, introduced in 1998. There are now two new phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, vardenafil and tadalafil, for which approval was recently given in the European Union and is expected this year in the United States.
RECENT FINDINGS
Sildenafil has proved to be a very effective medicinal product. According to initial studies, vardenafil and tadalafil have demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of sildenafil. However, fewer data are available evaluating the adverse effects of vardenafil and tadalafil, particularly on their long-term use and their use in high-risk groups. Interestingly, vardenafil and tadalafil have a higher potency than sildenafil. Moreover, the long life of tadalafil has been associated with an erectogenic potential of the drug lasting for more than 24 h. The advantage of this is the possibility of a patient engaging in sexual activity more than once after a single administration of the drug.
SUMMARY
In the future, in addition to sildenafil, the new phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors vardenafil and tadalafil will play an important role in the management of erectile dysfunction, depending on the patient's health profile.
Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors are preferred by most men for the oral treatment of erectile dysfunction. In many guidelines, this therapy is recommended as first-line therapy because of convenience, high efficacy, and low rates of side-effects. Sildenafil was the first drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, introduced in 1998. There are now two new phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, vardenafil and tadalafil, for which approval was recently given in the European Union and is expected this year in the United States.
RECENT FINDINGS
Sildenafil has proved to be a very effective medicinal product. According to initial studies, vardenafil and tadalafil have demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of sildenafil. However, fewer data are available evaluating the adverse effects of vardenafil and tadalafil, particularly on their long-term use and their use in high-risk groups. Interestingly, vardenafil and tadalafil have a higher potency than sildenafil. Moreover, the long life of tadalafil has been associated with an erectogenic potential of the drug lasting for more than 24 h. The advantage of this is the possibility of a patient engaging in sexual activity more than once after a single administration of the drug.
SUMMARY
In the future, in addition to sildenafil, the new phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors vardenafil and tadalafil will play an important role in the management of erectile dysfunction, depending on the patient's health profile.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1097/00042307-200309000-00008
- PMID 12917517
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/138754
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