Doctors such as urologists often times prescribe erectile dysfunction or ED medications for men who exhibit sexual impotence. If you have erectile dysfunction, Viagra or similar medications like Cialis and Levitra may very well solve your problem. These drugs help the arousal signal from the brain do what it’s supposed to do. They don’t give you an erection, but they let you have one. While these medications work for many men with erectile dysfunction, they don’t work for every man. It is also important to know that not everyone is a suitable candidate for these drugs. If these issues are true in your case, there are other options available for you to consider.
PDE5 Inhibitors Medications
PDE5 inhibitors do just that; they inhibit or block a man's PDE5 enzymes located in his corpus cavernosum allowing nitric oxide to bind to the muscles, allowing the penis to relax, dilate, and increase blood flow. All of that medical "mumbo-jumbo" means that these drugs often times cam help a man who's experiencing ED or erectile dysfunction to get and maintain a "hard on" during sexual intercourse.
PDE5 inhibitors are a class of drugs called vasodilators. This means that they dilate blood vessels, thus allowing our blood to flow more freely. Since the penis is made up primarily of spongy tissue (corpus cavernosum) and blood vessels, the PDE5 inhibitors dilate the penis' blood vessels leading to an erection.
PDE5 Inhibitors Medications Include:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)
- Tadalafil (Cialis)
- Vardenafil (Levitra and Staxyn)
- Avanafil (Stendra)
What Are PDE5 Inhibitor Side Effects?
We all know that all medications have the possibility of s ide effects. These are divided into two basic groups:
1. Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of nasal passages and throat)
- Upset stomach
2. Rare Side Effects
- Prolonged erections lasting longer than four hours (priapism)
- Visual disturbances
- Hearing loss
- Back pain
It must also be noted that drinking alcohol while taking PDE5 inhibitors can worsen theses possible side effects. Alcohol can actually also lead to ED, which is counter-productive for the use of this medication. There is also an absolute contraindication to PDE5inhibitors for men who take any form of Nitroglycerin for heart disease.
Side effects should also not be confused with allergic reactions, such as redness, hives, swelling, and/or shortness of breath/trouble breathing.
Who Should Avoid PDE5 Inhibitors?
These drugs are not for everyone that exhibits ED. Patients with prostate issues or with damaged nerves or blood vessels that surround the penis sometimes find that these medication don't help. For patients with either diabetes or cardiovascular disease, they may not work for ED, or may require higher doses.
There is also an absolute contraindication to PDE5inhibitors for men who take any form of Nitroglycerin for heart disease.
The way that our liver processes these medications may also contraindicate men with liver or kidney disease. These drugs could possibly result in further liver damage, eventually leading to cirrhosis.
Lastly, certain antibiotics, antifungals, and even anti-HIV medications can increase a man's blood levels of PDE5 inhibitors and should be used with caution or in lowered doses.
Questions About ED Medications?
At Philadelphia Urology Associates, Dr. Bruce Sloane is a nationally renowned specialist in Men's Health issues and Age Management Medicine. Throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas, patients seek his expertise to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual performance issues. Using state-of-the-art equipment and having extensive specialized education and training, Dr. Sloane will find the treatments and solutions that will work best for you.
If you have any questions about the treatments available for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or other urological disorders, we urge you to contact us now online or call us at (215) 563-1199 today to discuss how we can help you!
