Vestibular symptoms as a complication of sildenafil: a case report.
Potential vasodilator side effects of sildenafil such as headache, flushing, dyspepsia, heartburn, nasal congestion, dizziness and visual changes have been frequently observed. We report a 79-year-old man who developed severe vestibular neuritis-like symptoms (horizontal nystagmus with rotatory components and vomiting) two hours after taking 50 mg sildenafil. Additionally, the patient complained of tinnitus in both ears. Internal and neurological examination revealed no pathological findings and the patient had no history of cardiovascular disease. The symptoms lasted for 24 hours and then resolved completely. All of the patient's complaints indicated a drug-related phenomenon. This drug related adverse reaction should be included in the long list of potential side effects of sildenafil.
Hamzavi
Jafar
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Vienna, Medical School, Vienna, Austria. jafar-sasan.hamzavi@akh-wien.ac.at
Schmetterer
Leopold
L
Formanek
Michael
M
D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000368:Aged; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011687:Purines; D012307:Risk Factors; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020338:Vestibular Neuronitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate