Title:PDE-5 Inhibitors: Clinical Points
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
Author(s): Michael Doumas, Antonios Lazaridis, Niki Katsiki and Vasilios Athyros
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cardiovascular risk, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, sildenafil,
tadalafil, vardenafil.
Abstract: Erectile dysfunction is usually of vascular origin and is frequently encountered in men with cardiovascular disease.
The introduction of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors has revolutionized the management of patients with erectile dysfunction.
Currently available phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have distinct pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties,
thus permitting for tailoring sexual therapy according to patient characteristics and needs. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
possess vasorelaxing properties and exert systemic hemodynamic effects, which need to be taken into account when
other cardiovascular drugs are co-administered. Special caution is needed with alpha-blockers, while the co-administration
with nitrates is contra-indicated due to the risk of life-threatening hypotension. This review presents the advent of sexual
therapy, describes the mechanism of action and the specific characteristics of commercially available phosphodiesterase-5
inhibitors, summarizes the efficacy and safety of these drugs with special emphasis on the cardiovascular system, and discusses
the clinical criteria used for the selection of each drug for the individual patient.
