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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
08:03
Intracavernosal Pressure Recording to Evaluate Erectile Function in Rodents
Published on: June 6, 2018
Comparative cross-over study of sildenafil and apomorphine for treating erectile dysfunction
João Afif-Abdo1, Claudio Teloken, Ronaldo Damião
1Service of Urology, Hospital Santa Cruz, and Service of Urology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brazil. afif@abdo.med.br
BJU International
|June 10, 2008
Summary
Sildenafil demonstrated superior effectiveness and patient preference over apomorphine in treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Most patients preferred sildenafil for improving erectile function and overall satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant number of men, impacting quality of life.
- Pharmacological interventions are a cornerstone of ED management.
- Comparing the efficacy and tolerability of different ED medications is crucial for clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of sildenafil versus apomorphine in Brazilian patients with ED.
- To evaluate patient preference between sildenafil and apomorphine for ED treatment.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, crossover study involving 108 Brazilian patients with ED across 12 centers.
- Patients received either apomorphine or sildenafil, with dose adjustments based on efficacy and tolerability.
- A 2-week washout period preceded treatment with the alternative drug, with re-evaluation after 8 weeks for each treatment.
Main Results:
- Sildenafil showed significantly higher effectiveness in improving erectile function and overall treatment satisfaction compared to apomorphine (P < 0.001).
- The mean proportion of successful sexual intercourse was substantially higher with sildenafil (83.3%) versus apomorphine (40.3%).
- A strong patient preference for sildenafil was observed, with 93.8% of those initially on apomorphine and 81.3% on sildenafil preferring sildenafil.
Conclusions:
- Sildenafil is more effective than apomorphine for treating erectile dysfunction, encompassing erectile function, sexual intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction.
- The majority of patients in this study preferred sildenafil over apomorphine.
- Both drugs were generally well-tolerated, with distinct adverse event profiles.
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