Pharmacokinetic evaluation of sildenafil as a pulmonary hypertension treatment.
BACKGROUND
Sildenafil citrate is a potent, selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and plays an important role in the management of the disease.


METHODS
In this review, we focus on the current available information on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in PAH through a MEDLINE literature search. Comparison of sildenafil citrate with tadalafil, another phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor was also performed.


CONCLUSIONS
In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of PAH. Sildenafil citrate has multiple advantages and whether it is first-line treatment alone or in combination for the mild form of the disease, it is one of the treatments of choice. In terms of its future use, more studies are still needed to better evaluate the benefit/risk balance of sildenafil citrate in pediatric populations.
Université Paris-Sud, Faculté de Pharmacie, Chatenay-Malabry, France.
Marie-Camille
MC
Chaumais
Swanny
S
Perrin
Olivier
O
Sitbon
Gérald
G
Simonneau
Marc
M
Humbert
David
D
Montani
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068581:Tadalafil
D002243:Carbolines; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate