PDE5 inhibitor
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor
- cGMP persists → smooth-muscle relaxation
- Erectile function and pulmonary vasodilation
- Headache/flushing
- Visual disturbance
- Profound hypotension with any NO donor
Drugs with this mechanism (5)
- Tadalafil (PAH) — Long-acting tadalafil formulation for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- Avanafil — Fast-onset PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction.
- Sildenafil — The first PDE5 inhibitor (Viagra); also treats pulmonary hypertension.
- Tadalafil — Long-acting PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction and BPH; never combine with nitrates.
- Vardenafil — PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction.
Self-check
- How does PDE5 inhibition relax smooth muscle?
It allows cGMP to persist. - What can combining a PDE5 inhibitor with any NO donor cause?
Profound hypotension.
All mechanisms · Open PDE5 inhibitor in the interactive console ↗