Urolog. pro Praxi, 2010; 11(3): 131-135

Pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction with phosphodiesterase inhibitors

doc.MUDr.Michal Pohanka, Ph.D.¹, prof.MUDr.RNDr.Luboslav Stárka, DrSc.²

¹ Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika FN, Brno a Sexuologický ústav 1. LF UK, Praha

² Endokrinologický ústav, Praha

Erectile dysfunction is a relatively frequent disorder substantially increasing with age. The high effective treatment of erectile dysfunction

by drugs based on inhibition of phosphodiesterases type 5 (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) tempt to prescription of these drugs

without careful examination. Besides personal history and physical examination it is necessary to include also laboratory data for exclusion

of diseases associated with erectile dysfunction as diabetes mellitus, hyperprolactinemia or hypogonadismus. Contraindicated

for treatment by inhibitors of phophodiesterases are nitrates. For patients on intensive antihypertension therapy or with severe cardiac

diseases cardiovascular examination is a rule. The physician should made the patient acquainted with side-effects as headaches, flush,

dyspepsia, nasal mucosal congestion, low-back aches, changes in colour vision, and, especially with the rare but still existent possibility

of priapism, which needs an urological intervention.

Keywords: erectile dysfunction, inhibitors of phosphodiesterases, contraindications, side-efects, examination

Published: June 15, 2010  Show citation