title: [Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with erectile dysfunction medications].
abstract: Erectile dysfunction medications such as sildenafil citrate (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) are commonly prescribed worldwide. They are selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor and partial phosphodiesterase-6 inhibitors causing smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum, allowing penile vasodilatation and erection in response to sexual stimuli. Over the years, there have been an increasing number of case reports concerning patients who developed ischemic optic neuropathy soon after the ingestion of these drugs. Although a cause and effect relationship between usage of the drugs and the development of ischemic optic neuropathy is difficult to prove, it is common nowadays to advise patients, especially those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease, regarding the potential risk of visual loss due to ischemic optic neuropathy and treatment with erectile dysfunction drugs. Patients who were diagnosed with ischemic optic neuropathy soon after the ingestion of these erectile dysfunction drugs should be warned about a similar event in their fellow eye and should be advised regarding drug discontinuation.
authors.affiliation: Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Ophthalmology Department, Tel Aviv Medical Center. iris_bichler@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krashin-Bichler
authors.forename: Gad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dotan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002243:Carbolines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011687:Purines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068581:Tadalafil
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate