PDE inhibitor

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor — mechanism peg (Ballicules) — PDE inhibitor — mechanism card

Nonselective across isoforms → ↑ cAMP/cGMP
Downstream effect depends on isoform: vasodilation, inotropy or anti-inflammation
Headache and hypotension are class effects

Drugs with this mechanism (2)

Caffeine — The world's most-used stimulant; adenosine antagonist, OTC.
Pentoxifylline — Hemorheologic agent (PDE inhibitor) for intermittent claudication.

Self-check

Which cyclic nucleotides rise with nonselective PDE inhibition?
cAMP and cGMP.
Why do PDE-inhibitor downstream effects differ?
They depend on the isoform.

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