What is Use of PDE5 Inhibitors for Men?

What is PDE5 Inhabitors?

PDE5 inhibitors are a class of medications that are commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Their ability to improve ED symptoms was discovered by chance while researchers were examining their potential use for high blood pressure and angina.

ED is commonly considered to be the primary form of sexual dysfunction in men, and it becomes more common as men age. It is approx that between 30 million and 50 million men in the United States suffer from ED.

PDE5 inhibitors are commonly the first line of treatment for ED caused by poor blood flow to the penis.

Action Mechanism

To understand the mechanism of acts of PDE5 inhibitors, one must first know the normal physiology of penile erection, which is where the majority of PDE5 inhibitors are currently used.

Following sexual stimulation;

Neurotransmitters are released in the corpora cavernosa, causing endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide, which dissolves into adjacent smooth muscle cells and stimulates the formation of cGMP, resulting in vasodilation and increased penile blood flow.

PDE-5 Inhibitors’ Mechanism of Action on cGMP

These medicines inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) found in smooth muscle cells of vessels. These drugs prevent PDE-5 from breaking down cGMP by inhibiting this enzyme. GMP can activate protein kinase G, resulting in vascular smooth muscle relaxation.

PDE-5 prevents cGMP degradation, resulting in cGMP accumulation in vascular smooth muscle and dilatation of blood vessels via phosphorylation of various downstream effector molecules. Penile artery dilation causes an erection to last longer. PDE5Is also improve endothelial function and decrease the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells in the vascular system in the corpus cavernosum.

A similar way of working has also been shown to result in pulmonary artery blood flow, alleviating pulmonary hypertension symptoms. They also prevent pulmonary vascular remodeling. They have been shown to inhibit myocardium remodeling in subjects suffering from heart failure.

All of the PDE5 inhibitors mentioned above work in the same way. They do, however, differ in PDE isozyme selectivity with PDE6 (sildenafil), and PDE11 (tadalafil) is also affected by cross-reactivity, resulting in the talk of specific side effects associated with PDE5 inhibitor use.

PDE5 inhibitors ED can be caused by both mental and physical factors. PDE5 inhibitors can only treat ED caused by physiological functions.

Treatment options for psychological causes of ED, such as stress or anxiety, include psychotherapy or counseling.

There are four primary types of PDE5 inhibitors available:

• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Avanafil
• Vardenafil

1. Sildenafil (Viagra):

Sildenafil was the first PDE5 inhibitor to initiate extensive research, and it was approved by the FDA in 1998 under the brand name Viagra to treat ED in men. Sildenafil generally takes effect within an hour. You’ll only get an erection if you’re sexually aroused, just like with other PDE5 inhibitors.

How long does it last?

Viagra’s effects usually last 4 hours but can last up to 12 hours. It is usually taken in doses that include from 25 to 100 milligrams (mg) per day.

The common side effect of Sildenafil:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms
• Vision problems

Cost:

The cost of sildenafil is different depending on where you buy it. Brand Name Cenforce 100  Generic Viagra Online in Pills4cure Pharmacy Price range: $80 to $675. Since 2017, however, sildenafil has been sold under its generic name. Generic brands are frequently less expensive.

2. Tadalafil (Cialis) :

Tadalafil has been on the made to treat ED since 2003. It usually takes 20 minutes to take effect and should be taken at least half an hour before sexual activity.

Tadalafil is also approved by the FDA to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

How long does it last?

Tadalafil has the longest duration of action of any PDE5 inhibitor available, lasting 24 to 36 hours. A typical daily dose ranges between 2.5 and 20 mg.

Side effects of Tadalafil:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms
• Back pain
• Muscle pain

Cost

Cialis costs can vary by pharmacy and are determined by the strength of the medication. Larger 20-mg Tadalafil tablets Brand Name Vidalista 20 in Pills4cure Pharmacy Online Price Range: $79 to $800. Cialis, like sildenafil, is also available at a lower cost under its generic name (Tadalafil).

3. Vardenafil

Vardenafil has been approved for the treatment of ED since 2003. It has the easiest onset of any PDE5 inhibitor, taking effect in just 10 minutes.

How long does it last?

Vardenafil typically lasts 5 to 7 hours, but it can last up to 12 hours. Vardenafil is usually taken in doses ranging from 5 to 20 mg per day.

Common Side Effects of Vardenafil:

• Headaches
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms
• Vision problems

Cost

Vardenafil is less costly than Levitra, and you can buy Zhewitra 20 mg online at a price range of $80 to $224.

4. Avanafil

Avanafil is the most latest PDE5 inhibitor to hit the market, having been available since 2012. It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to take effect.

How long does it last?

Avanafil has a longer half-life than vardenafil and sildenafil but a shorter half-life than tadalafil, with a half-life of about 5 hours. Avanafil is usually taken in doses that range from 50 to 200 mg per day.

Common side effects of Avanafil:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Indigestion
• Nasal congestion
• Cold-like symptoms

Cost

Avanafil brand name Avana 100 mg Online Price $94 to $183, In the United States, available online avanafil tablet.

How do PDE5 inhibitors function?

PDE5 inhibitors have a vasodilating effect on the penis, which means they relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.

An erection’s scientific basis

The process of obtaining an erection is difficult. Your parasympathetic nervous system is activated when you are sexually aroused. This neural activity causes the release of a molecule known as nitric oxide (NO), which boosts the production of another molecule known as cyclic GMP.

Cyclic GMP relaxes the smooth muscles inside your penis vessels and boosts blood flow by 20 to 40 times.

Source

PDE5 is an enzyme that breaks down cyclic GMP molecules and reverses the erection process. PDE5 inhibitors, on the other hand, have a structure similar to cyclic GMP and bind to PDE5 to prevent this breakdown. This action boosts the action of NO and promotes blood flow.

What foods have PDE5 inhibitors?

PDE5 inhibitors are found naturally in some herbs. These herbs are frequently sold as supplements and marketed to treat ED or increase male vitality.

The FDATrusted Source advises against using dietary supplements to treat ED because many of these products contain unknown and potentially harmful ingredients. The safety and effectiveness of these supplements have also not been thoroughly investigated.

Epimedium (horny goat weed) 

Epimedium, also known as horny goat weed, is a flowering plant native to East Asia.

The name horny goat weed is derived from a legend about a Chinese goat herder who noticed increased sexual activity in his herd after eating the leaves of this plant.

The active ingredient in horny goat weed is known as icariin. It has been proposed that icariin may inhibit PDE5, increase NO production in the penis, and have a variety of potential benefits for ED. However, there have been no long-term toxicity studies and no clinical trials in humans.

Black Ginger

The plant Kaempferia parviflora, also known as Thai ginger or black ginger, is native to Thailand. It may have substantial PDE5 inhibitory effects, according to lab and animal studies.

The plant Tribulus terrestris

The leafy plant Tribulus terrestris grows in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Natural alkaloids found in the plant have been shown in research to inhibit PDE5.

Tribulus terrestris was found to significantly improve erectile function in men aged 18 to 65 with moderate erectile dysfunction in a 2017 clinical trial, and it was generally well-tolerated.

Pomifera malculra (osage orange)

Isoflavones derived from the Malculra pomifera plant may inhibit PDE5. According to research, derivatives of these isoflavones could be a promising lead for future PDE5 inhibitor development.

Conclusion:

PDE5 inhibitors are a class of medications that are commonly used to treat ED. These drugs are effective in treating ED caused by physiological factors such as poor circulation. They are, however, ineffective in treating ED caused by psychological factors such as stress or anxiety.

Some herbs, such as horny goat weed, contain PDE5 inhibitors, but research on the effectiveness and safety of herbal supplements for treating ED has yet to be conducted.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Which PDE5 inhibitor is the most effective?

Ans: There is no such thing as a “best” PDE5 inhibitor. The three most often prescribed PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil, Tadalafil, and Vardenafil, appear to be equally effective at treating erectile dysfunction, according to analysis.

What happens when PDE5 is inhibited?

Ans: PDE5 inhibitors inhibit PDE5, an enzyme found in blood vessel walls. PDE5 inhibition relaxes blood vessels, increasing blood flow to specific areas of the body. Because of this effect, they can help in the management of conditions such as ED and pulmonary hypertension.

Does PDE5 cause erectile dysfunction?

Ans: Smooth muscle relaxation via the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway. Because cGMP is involved in this process, increasing the level of intracellular cGMP could be one of the potential treatments for insufficient smooth muscle relaxation. By degrading cGMP, PDE5 normally inhibits penile erection.

What is a PDE5 inhibitor of type 5?

Ans: PDE5 inhibitors affect blood vessels in the penis and lung by inhibiting the breakdown of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), resulting in a prolongation of the action of vasodilation mediators such as nitric oxide (NO).

Is PDE5 levels rise with age?

Ans: Lower PDE5 gene expression is linked to aging and hypogonadism in the corpus cavernosum.

Is PDE5 a Viagra? 

Ans: Sildenafil (Viagra), Vardenafil (Zhewitra), Tadalafil (Cialis), and Avanafil, more approved medicines, are the four oral PDE5 inhibitors commercially available in the United States.

Is PDE5 beneficial to your health?

Ans: Doctors and researchers advise taking low-dose PDE5 inhibitors on a daily basis. They increased penile blood flow and endothelial function while decreasing apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells in the corpus cavernosum.