Main Article Content
Sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA™) in the treatment of male Erectile Dysfunction: A 6-week, Flexible Dose Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety
Abstract
Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in black men with erectile dysfunction of varied etiologies.
Method: 50 successive patients with ED were recruited into the study. The starting dose was 50mg and this could be increased to 100mg or decreased to 25mg depending on efficacy and toleration. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), patient event log and the global assessment of efficacy were used to assess efficacy while adverse events were monitored by safety laboratory assessments and by the reported and observed events.
Results: 78% of the patients were always able to achieve erections or achieve it most of the times as compared to 10% who were able to do this at baseline (p<0.0001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in those who were able to maintain their erections after penetration at end of therapy as compared to the baseline, 76% versus 6% (p<0.0001). Using the global efficacy question, 94% of the patients reported that taking sildenafil citrate improved their erections. The commonest drug related adverse event was headache (10%), which was transient and did not interfere with the day to day activities of the patients.
Conclusion: This study shows that Sildenafil citrate is an effective oral treatment option for erectile dysfunction in black patients and was well tolerated.
Key Words: Sildenafil citrate; Erectile dysfunction; IIEF.
[Nig. Jnl Health & Biomedical Sciences Vol.1(1) 2002: 45-48]