Spotlight on Vardenafil ( Levitra ) in erectile dysfunction.

Vardenafil (Levitra) is a potent and highly selective oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor.Vardenafil improved erectile function in men with mild to severe erectile dysfunction (ED) of varying aetiology in two randomised, double-blind, multicentre, fixed-dose studies of 12 or 26 weeks' duration. Men receiving Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 10 or 20mg had significantly greater improvements in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire erectile function domain scores than placebo recipients. Moreover, improvements in penetration and maintenance of erection (assessed using IIEF or Sexual Encounter Profile [SEP] questions) were significantly greater with Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 5-20mg than with placebo. Improvements in IIEF intercourse satisfaction and orgasmic function domain scores were significantly greater with Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 10 or 20mg than with placebo and the proportion of patients with a positive response to a Global Assessment Question (GAQ) concerning improvement in erections after 12 or 26 weeks' therapy was significantly higher with Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 5-20mg than with placebo.Vardenafil improved erectile function in men with ED associated with diabetes mellitus or ED following unilateral or bilateral nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy in two randomised, double-blind, multicentre, fixed-dose, 3-month studies. In both studies, improvements from baseline in the erectile function domain score of the IIEF and in positive responses to SEP questions were significantly greater with Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 10 or 20mg than with placebo. In addition, a significantly higher proportion of Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 10 or 20mg recipients than placebo recipients had positive GAQ responses.Vardenafil was generally well tolerated in men with ED; treatment-emergent adverse events were of mild to moderate intensity and transient in nature. The most commonly reported adverse events (typical of those seen with PDE5 inhibitors) in Vardenafil ( Levitra ) 5-20mg recipients included headache, flushing, rhinitis, dyspepsia and sinusitis. There were no reports of abnormal colour vision in men with ED taking Vardenafil ( Levitra ) at clinically recommended doses (5-20mg).CONCLUSION: Vardenafil ( Levitra ) is a potent and highly selective oral PDE5 inhibitor. It is effective and generally well tolerated in men with mild to severe ED of varying aetiology, as well as in men with ED associated with diabetes mellitus or ED after radical prostatectomy. Vardenafil ( Levitra ) should be considered a first-line treatment option in men with ED who are suitable candidates for oral PDE5 inhibitor therapy.

Urologic complications of nonurologic medications.

A physician must be aware of common drug side effects and interactions before prescribing a certain agent. In addition to the drugs that we, as urologists, prescribe, we must also be aware of the urologic side effects of drugs that are commonly prescribed by nonurologists. The mechanisms of the pharmacologic causes for voiding dysfunction, erectile and sexual dysfunction, infertility, and urolithiasis are often mutifactorial and incompletely understood. The recognition and association of a particular drug's potential side effects may save valuable time and money involved in the workup of a patient with a new urologic complaint. It is incumbent on the practicing urologist to be able to recognize the common, and sometimes subtle, urologic complications of medications that are used for nonurologic conditions.

Sexual activity and cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) are frequently comorbid. Therefore, it is important to consider the risk of renewed sexual activity after successful treatment of ED in men with cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the limited existing knowledge of the metabolic and cardiovascular demands of sexual activity. Evidence suggests that there is a small increase in cardiovascular risk related to sexual activity. Overall, however, the metabolic and cardiovascular demands of sexual activity are modest, and regular physical activity can almost eliminate the increase in risk occurring during sex. In addition, it is unlikely that any direct effect of a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor increases cardiovascular risk in patients with cardiovascular disease, absent the coadministration of organic nitrates.

Oral agents for erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction is a common disease affecting the lives of millions of men worldwide. Sildenafil Citrate ( Viagra ) was the first oral treatment licensed for male erectile dysfunction. However, there are now a number of other options available. In this article the currently available oral treatments are reviewed.