Vardenafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction: a critical review of the literature based on personal clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
To critically review the literature on vardenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction while integrating the clinical findings with the personal experience of the authors.


METHODS
Analysis of published full-length papers that were identified through Medline search from January 2000 through May 2004. Abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals from the same period were also considered.


RESULTS
Efficacy, tolerability and safety, as reported in the peer-reviewed literature compares well with the authors' personal experience. Authors' personal observations include discussions on potency, selectivity, selection of initial dose, counselling for patients characteristically considered difficult-to-treat (diabetes, prostatectomy, depression), including the determination of the maximal efficacious dose and the possible role of daily dosing, optimisation of the use of vardenafil according to its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles (onset and reliability), and management of ED patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive experience with vardenafil as reported in peer reviewed literature confirms the important role of vardenafil in the management of patients with ED. The development of each physician's own experience with vardenafil is key to optimise overall satisfaction of this therapy by the patient and his partner.
Montorsi
Francesco
F
Department of Urology, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 6020132 Milan, Italy. montorsi.francesco@hsr.it
Salonia
Andrea
A
Briganti
Alberto
A
Barbieri
Luigi
L
Zanni
Giuseppe
G
Suardi
Nazareno
N
Cestari
Andrea
A
Montorsi
Piero
P
Rigatti
Patrizio
P
D002983:Clinical Competence; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety; D013450:Sulfones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
D007093:Imidazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride