A state of art review on vardenafil in men with erectile dysfunction and associated underlying diseases

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual disorder among men. Many governing bodies advocate the use of oral PDE5 inhibitors as a first-line therapy for ED. The clinical efficacy of these PDE5 inhibitors has been demonstrated in a number of placebo-controlled trials and reported by many systematic reviews on the effectiveness of PDE5 inhibitors in restoring the erectile function and improved frequency of successful sexual intercourse attempts across different spectra of underlying diseases. Areas covered: This review article examines the drug profile of vardenafil and its role in restoring erectile function; highlights a number of clinical trials on vardenafil in men with underlying cardiovascular and metabolic conditions as well as in post-radical prostatectomy cases; and addresses the efficacy of vardenafil in comparison with other PDE5 inhibitors. Expert opinion: Given the multi-factorial nature of ED, a holistic approach should be taken when dealing with ED patients. There is a need for long-term surveillance and management of underlying medical conditions, and despite the strict adherence to all the necessary steps to maximize its efficacy, PDE5 inhibitors could still fail due to the potential drug intolerance, progression of underlying disease or development of medical conditions.