Approaches to the rational choice of type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors in patients presenting with cardiovascular and endocrine diseases

After the advent of four type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEI 5), viz. sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and udenafil, designed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction both physicians and patients found themselves faced with the problem of choosing an optimal therapeutic option. This paper contains comparative data on the efficacy and safety of different PDEI 5. The approaches to the rational choice of these preparations for the treatment of patients presenting with cardiovascular and endocrine diseases are discussed. Comparative controlled clinical studies failed to yield definitive information about advantages of one or another agent representing this group of pharmaceutical products. Nevertheless, the currently available data permit to draw the conclusion that the use of vardenafil and tadalafil ensures better compliance of patients with the prescribed therapy. Certain authors advocate the desirability of vardenafil application to the treatment of patients presenting with a background pathology. It is emphasized that all available PDEI 5 have a beneficial safety profile, with wardenafil being virtually free from adverse side effects.