What is A PDE5 Inhibitor?
PDE5 inhibitor is a short abbreviation of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Furthermore, it is a vasodilating class of drug that blocks cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) action that can be degradative in nature on cyclic GMP. It targets the tissue supplying blood vessel’s smooth muscle cells lining. Most of the smooth muscle cells lining PDE5 inhibitors have the approval of the FDA (food and drug administration) in the US. Here are some names of PDE5 inhibitors available in the medical market as follows:
- Tadalafil
- Sildenafil
- Vardenafil
- Avanafil
What are The Uses of PDE5 Inhibitors?
Whether you call it by its brand names like Sildenafil and Tadalafil, all these PDE5 inhibitors primarily treat erectile dysfunction problems in males and sexual impotency in women as well. Erectile dysfunction is an issue of not having proper penis erection during times of sexual activity whereas, women facing sexual impotency have issues of not being able to have sex and reach orgasm. Patients who have prolonged complaints of high blood pressure have a condition known as hypertension.
PDE5 inhibitors help to combat this issue and allow those patients to have regular blood pressure levels in the body and prevent illnesses associated with this medical condition. Some of the medicines under the PDE5 inhibitor drug class like Tadalafil also treat the issue of benign prostatic hyperplasia with proper license. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition of unusual penis enlargement problems that can affect a man’s penis erection and urinary system. Also, this drug class acts as a second-line treatment/therapy in the Raynaud phenomenon which is a condition that makes people experience a lack of blood flow in some parts of the body due to other underlying issues.
How does A PDE5 Inhibitor Work?
PDE5 inhibitors result in vasodilation by releasing nitric oxide (NO) through vascular endothelial cells. This release of NO helps to block cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) action that can be degradative in nature on cyclic GMP. It further diffuses the tissue supplying blood vessel’s smooth muscle cells lining. It relaxes and smoothens up the muscles of blood vessels making them vasodilate and allowing the body to have more blood flow into the body. At the time of sexual activity blood flow gets concentrated in the penis areas allowing it to have a rigid penis erection. Also, it helps to control hypertension. In women, it works by letting the pelvic area have blood flow and relax vaginal muscles allowing them to experience a higher possibility of achieving sexual orgasm during their sexual activity. PDE5 inhibitors have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and metabolic properties too. Among all the PDE5 inhibitor drug classes, Tadalafil lasts inside the body for a long time.
What are The Side Effects of PDE5 Inhibitors?
Although PDE5 inhibitors have the approval of the FDA it needs cautious medical prescription because it also consists of side effects like:
- Rhinitis
- Sudden hair loss
- Dyspepsis
- Nasal congestion
- Headache
- Back pain
- Muscle ache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Neonatal mortality in pregnant women
- Anterior optic neuropathy
- Fetal growth restriction
