More than 30 million men are estimated to have
erectile dysfunction (ED) in the United States. Worldwide, ED is estimated to affect more than 150 million men, and that number is expected to exceed 300 million men by the year 2025. The prevalence of ED ranges from 7% in men aged 18-29 years to 85% in men aged 76-85 years. In addition, a recent report showed that 68% of patients with ED aged 18 years and older have at least one comorbid diagnosis of
hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes or depression, and research suggests that ED may be an early
indicator of systemic
vascular disease.
Viagra (
sildenafil citrate), the first-in-class
phosphodiesterase type 5 (
PDE5) inhibitor, was introduced in 1998 for the treatment of ED. In the 7 years since its market launch, more than 750,000 physicians have prescribed
sildenafil to more than 23 million men, helping establish an excellent safety and efficacy record. Clinical studies have demonstrated that
sildenafil successfully treats ED of varied organic, psychogenic or mixed aetiology, and is effective in men with ED and comorbidities such as
hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes or depression.
Sildenafil was a breakthrough medication that addressed a previously unfulfilled medical need. The impact of
sildenafil has stimulated academic, clinical and industrial research to better understand the nature of sexual function and develop better treatment and management for sexual dysfunctions such as ED. With the advent of other erectogenic
therapies for the treatment of ED, this 7-year update will focus on the unique history and development of
sildenafil, its current use and applications and its future directions and indications. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of
sildenafil on our understanding of sexual health and on the extensive safety and efficacy data that have been amassed from numerous clinical trials.