title: The treatment of hypertension in patients with erectile dysfunction.
abstract: Hypertension is another predictor of erectile dysfunction (ED). This is further evidence supporting a link between the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease and ED. In one study (TOMHS) involving hypertensive patients, the incidence of ED was 14.4%. The drugs used to treat hypertension may cause ED. However, there is little trial-based evidence to indicate which drugs are more likely to cause this side effect. In general, thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers seem to cause ED more often. In contrast, the alpha-blocker, doxazosin, has not been associated with an increased incidence of ED as a side effect. Doxazosin also improves urinary flow in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is common in elderly men as is hypertension and ED. Therefore, doxazosin may present a special advantage among this group of patients. This alpha-blocker would also be a good choice in patients with impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes because it improves insulin sensitivity. Moreover, ED and hypertension are more prevalent among diabetics. On a more speculative note, doxazosin may potentiate the therapeutic impact of specific treatments for ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Milionis
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D017292:Doxazosin