Treatment with sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction, as up to half of men with renal failure may be affected and only 60-75% recover potency after transplantation.


METHODS
Fifty patients with erectile dysfunction and a functioning renal transplant were treated using sildenafil (mean age 54 years, mean time on dialysis 35 months, mean time from transplantation 20 months). The hypogastric artery was not used during transplantation in any patient. Sildenafil citrate was prescribed at doses of 25 or 50 mg depending on baseline creatinine values and on the response, and plasma levels of cyclosporin/FK506 were monitored.


RESULTS
Thirty patients (60%) had a satisfactory response, with a mean time on dialysis of 23 months. Six patients (12%) did not take the sildenafil and in 14 (28%) the drug was ineffective. The mean time on dialysis in this group was 43 months. Six patients (12%) had side-effects that in no case led to withdrawal of treatment. Plasma levels of cyclosporin/FK506 remained within the safety and efficacy limits in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with sildenafil citrate in renal transplant patients with erectile dysfunction is an effective and safe option, with few side-effects. Plasma levels of immunosuppressants are unchanged. The response was more effective in patients with a shorter time on dialysis, as penile vascular disease is less advanced.
Prieto Castro
R M
RM
Department of Surgery, Regional University Hospital Reina Sofía, Faculty of Medicine, Córdoba University, 14006 Córdoba, Spain.
Anglada Curado
F J
FJ
Regueiro López
J C
JC
Leva Vallejo
M E
ME
Molina Sánchez
J
J
Saceda López
J L
JL
Requena Tapia
M J
MJ
D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate