title: Does marijuana use play a role in the recreational use of sildenafil?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the ways by which patients obtain nonprescription sildenafil and the patient predictors associated with nonprescribed use.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted this descriptive study by distributing an anonymous questionnaire to 231 male sildenafil users (ages 18 to 80) between December 1, 2002 and April 30, 2003 at outpatient Family Medicine and Urology Clinics at The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with erectile dysfunction (as defined by their physician) and those without.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in our total study population of sildenafil users (n=231) was 40.3% (n=93); 59.7% (n=138) did not have erectile dysfunction. Of those without erectile dysfunction, 76% (n=105) admitted to cannabis use, compared with 7.5% (n=7) of the subjects with erectile dysfunction. Patients without erectile dysfunction and history of cannabis abuse reported obtaining sildenafil from friends and street vendors significantly more often than non-cannabis users with erectile dysfunction (54.3%, n=57 vs 9.3%, n=8; P<.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Illicit use of cannabis is a strong predictor of recreational sildenafil use among patients without erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY; Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY USA.
authors.forename: Marie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Eloi-Stiven
authors.forename: Naganna
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Channaveeraiah
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Christos
authors.forename: Madelon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finkel
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004357:Drug Synergism; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases