• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Sildenafil Failures May Be Due to Inadequate Patient Instructions and Follow-Up: A Study on 100 Non-Responders

Hatzichristou D, Moysidis K, Apostolidis A, Bekos A, Tzortzis V, Hatzimouratidis K, Ioannidis E; European Urology 2005 (47): 518-523

KEY WORDS: Erectile dysfunction; Treatment; Sildenafil; Prescription

Despite the high number of first-time prescriptions of sildenafil during the last 4 years-more than 500,000 physicians have prescribed more than 45 million prescriptions for more than 15 million men worldwide. And marketing data worldwide showed that dropout rates for sildenafil are as high as 50% of patients treated. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical practice associated factors that may affect response rate to sildenafil and examine the reversibility of such adverse action and its impact on the overall efficacy of sildenafil.

• The study comprised 100 consecutive sildenafil non-responders (mean age 59±14.4 years and mean duration of ED 5.5±6.4 years). All patients underwent detailed medical and sexual history and completed the IIEF and a questionnaire regarding the previous use of sildenafil. When inadequate instructions were reported, information on the appropriate use of sildenafil was given and patients were asked to use at least 4 tablets at home. Pharmacologic efficacy was re-evaluated in a scheduled follow-up visit.
• Based on the results of their study, the authors concluded that ED patients may receive inadequate instructions with their prescriptions. Response rate to sildenafil may be maximized after receiving appropriate dose titration and instructions on administration. ED should be treated in the same way as other chronic conditions; follow-up is necessary to evaluate the appropriate application and pharmacologic efficacy of the proposed treatment.

See the abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15774252&dopt=Citation