Oral phentolamine (Vasomax).
Vasomax is an oral preparation of phentolamine mesilate (Zonagen Pharmaceuticals) currently undergoing worldwide regulatory approval for distribution. Phentolamine is primarily an alpha-adrenergic antagonist with mild sympatholytic action and a beta-adrenergic stimulating action. Over 30 years of clinical experience has shown it to be a strong direct vasodilator on muscular walled vessels, likely based on its inhibitory action on adenosine 5-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels. This medication is not new, having been marketed in the United States in an oral formulation between 1952 and 1984. Phentolamine initially achieved FDA approval for preoperative use in patients with pheochromocytoma for control of blood pressure and paroxysmal hypertensive episodes. In the past it had been evaluated for hypertension, pulmonary disease, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris and peripheral vascular disease. Unfortunately for most of these indications the clinical responses to oral phentolamine have been variable. The most clinically significant adverse events associated with oral phentolamine in the past were systemic hypotension and vasomotor collapse, severe gastrointestinal side effects especially diarrhea and some complaints of nasal congestion. In this review we will concentrate on phentolamine in a new preparation for on demand treatment of erectile dysfunction of mild to moderate degrees.
Brock
G
G
Urology Clinic, St. Joseph's Health Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.