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Differences in side‐effect duration and related bother levels between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
Author(s) -
Taylor Joby,
Baldo Omer B.,
Storey Anne,
Cartledge Jon,
Eardley Ian
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2008.08328.x
Subject(s) - tadalafil , medicine , vardenafil , side effect (computer science) , cgmp specific phosphodiesterase type 5 , sildenafil , visual analogue scale , erectile dysfunction , anesthesia , computer science , programming language
OBJECTIVE To assess whether the longer half‐life of tadalafil is associated with longer lasting or more severe side‐effects than the other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE‐5Is), as clinical trials have shown that the efficacy and safety of the three available are similar, but tadalafil has a half‐life four times longer than the other two drugs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Treatment‐naive men beginning PDE5‐I therapy were recruited from a specialist clinic. Data on the type and duration of drug‐associated side‐effects were collected prospectively. Levels of bother were assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Differences in type, duration and bother of side‐effect were compared between drugs. RESULTS In all, 409 men provided data; there were no differences between drugs in the proportion of men responding, or the overall prevalence of side‐effects. The mean duration of side‐effects with tadalafil was 14.9 h, compared to 3.9 and 7.7 h for sildenafil and vardenafil. Of men taking tadalafil, 30% had side‐effects lasting >12 h. There were no differences in mean VAS scores between the drugs. Individual side‐effects caused similar levels of bother, except for facial flushing, which was less bothersome. CONCLUSIONS Men taking tadalafil are at risk of prolonged side‐effects, although levels of bother associated with these side‐effects are not significantly greater than those seen with short‐acting PDE5‐Is.