PDE5 inhibitors and alternatives for patients on nitrates. This post will cover the points you need to know for your board exams as well as for teaching residents on the daily rounds. Please don't use the information here to treat your patients.
The common five PDE5 inhibitors used for treatment of ED are Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Staxyn (vardenafil) and Stendra (avanafil).
PDE5 inhibitors are contraindicated with nitrate drugs that include Amyl nitrate, Alkyl nitrites ("poppers"), Isosorbide dinitrate, Isosorbide mononitrate, Nitroglycerine and Sodium nitroprusside.
Concurrent use within 24 hours for the short acting and 48 hours for the longer acting can cause life-threatening hypotension.
Alternative for PDE5i for patients on nitrates include intraurethral alprostadil.
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The information in this post is not for patients and shouldn't be used in treating patients. Please refer to your doctor for medical advice.