Efficacy and safety of vardenafil in renal transplant recipients with erectile dysfunction

Transplant Proc. 2006 Jun;38(5):1379-81. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2006.02.076.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) profoundly affects the quality of life. The prevalence of ED in renal transplant recipients is reported by high as 50% to 60%. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of vardenafil in these patients with ED as well as its effects on graft function and on cylosporine or tacrolimus concentrations. Thirty-nine recipients with ED and serum creatinine values<2 mg/dL were treated with vardenafil. ED was assessed using the self-administered International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). ED was diagnosed by using penile color-Doppler ultrasonography and intracavernosal injection. Vardenafil efficacy was assessed by readministering the IIEF questionnaire after 4 weeks of therapy. Serum creatinine levels, creatinine clearances, and cyclosporine/tacrolimus concentrations were measured before and after vardenafil therapy. Twenty-one recipients with ED served as placebo controls and 15 without ED as another control group. The IIEF scores improved from 12.80+/-3.5 to 26.46+/-2.4 in vardenafil-treated patients with ED (P<.001). Renal function and cyclosporine/tacrolimus concentrations did not change with vardenafil therapy. Side effects were observed in 7 (18%) patients: headache in three, palpitations in one, flushing in two, and dyspepsia in one. This study demonstrated that ED improved with vardenafil in renal transplant recipients with ED. For 4 weeks vardenafil therapy was free of side effects. Renal function tests did not change. Also, no dose change in immunosuppressive drugs was required during 4 weeks of verdanafil therapy.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Erectile Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazines / therapeutic use
  • Vardenafil Dihydrochloride

Substances

  • Imidazoles
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Sulfones
  • Triazines
  • Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
  • Creatinine