Effect of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor on hearing.
OBJECTIVE
Following a report of sudden hearing loss in a patient taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, and a Food and Drug Administration announcement concerning this class of drugs, a study was planned to investigate if ototoxicity occurs in patients using phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with erectile dysfunction who had been using phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor were included in the study. Audiometric tests were performed on all patients, between the frequencies 250 and 16,000 Hz, before and 1, 5 and 72 hours after drug ingestion.


RESULTS
Four patients showed a unilateral threshold decrease compatible with ototoxicity criteria; this change was reversible. A statistically significant difference in pre- versus post-drug hearing thresholds was observed in the right ear at 10,000 Hz (p = 0.008). There were no statistically significant hearing threshold differences at any other frequencies (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although temporary ototoxicity was noted in four patients, we could not find any permanent, deleterious effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor on hearing thresholds.
Okuyucu
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Department of Otolaryngology, Mustafa Kemal University School of Medicine, Antakya, Hatay, Turkey. semsettinokuyucu@yahoo.com
Guven
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Akoglu
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Uçar
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Dagli
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D000368:Aged; D001299:Audiometry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
D007093:Imidazoles; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride