Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To review current pharmacologic treatment options for erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Relevant literatures from the past two decades regarding the following treatments were reviewed: intracavemous injection, topical therapy, transurethral therapy and oral drugs.


METHODS
More than 125 originally identified articles were reviewed, and 45 were selected that especially addressed the stated purpose.


RESULTS
Among the pharmacologic treatment options available, intracavemous injection therapy remains the most effective although the drop-out rate is high. Topical creams and gels have not been very successful. Transurethral alprostadil can be more effective if a constriction device is applied at the base of the penis. Oral sildenafil has the highest patient acceptance rate although systemic side effects can be a major drawback.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective pharmacotherapies for ED of various etiologies are now available. However, proper evaluation of every patient should be performed before giving treatment so that a number of potentially life-threatening causes of erectile dysfunction would not be missed.
Lue
T F
TF
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0738, USA.
Lee
K L
KL
D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D010208:Papaverine; D000527:Alprostadil; D010646:Phentolamine