Sildenafil ODT

Overview of Sildenafil ODT

Dosage Strength

125 mg/ODT (10 ODT/Pack)

General Information

Originally intended to treat pulmonary hypertension, angina, and other cardiovascular diseases, sildenafil citrate was unintentionally discovered to be useful in males suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). Prior to the discovery of its therapeutic effects in the treatment of ED, this condition was thought to be an unavoidable component of aging in men or the result of underlying psychological problems. After being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 for the treatment of ED, sildenafil citrate’s popularity has skyrocketed over the last few decades, with health care providers generally recommending this medication as first-line therapy in the management of erectile dysfunction in men. Other aspects that contribute to its attraction and popularity include the fact that sildenafil citrate can be taken orally on demand and is generally well tolerated with little side effects. 1

Sildenafil citrate is a vasoactive medicine that belongs to the pharmacologic class of PDE-5 inhibitors; it is a competitive antagonist of this enzyme. PDE-5 is distributed throughout the human body, particularly in the corpus cavernosum within the penis, striated and smooth muscle, and platelets. However, PDE-5 is more prevalent in the penile corpus cavernosum, which explains why sildenafil citrate can function selectively in this area of the body. 2

Sildenafil citrate is often used orally. It can, however, be given intravenously or sublingually. Although its most common therapeutic application is for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is also used to treat pulmonary hypertension, infant pulmonary hypertension, Raynaud’s phenomenon refractory to other vasodilators, and to prevent pulmonary edema at high altitudes. Following oral administration, sildenafil citrate is rapidly absorbed, primarily in the small intestine, and is then carried through the bloodstream to its site of action. The hepatic isoenzymes cytochrome P450 3A4 and cytochrome P450 2C9 metabolize sildenafil citrate in the liver. Following hepatic metabolism, metabolites are primarily eliminated in the stool and, to a lesser extent, in the urine. 234

The Food and Medication Administration classifies sildenafil citrate as a pregnancy category B drug. Studies have found no definitive dangers to fetuses when sildenafil is given to pregnant women. There are currently no proven clinical indications for the use of sildenafil citrate in women. To yet, no studies have shown that sildenafil citrate has the same benefits in women as it does in men. Other trials, however, are still continuing, and the results may provide additional insight into the usability and benefits of sildenafil in women. 56

References

1.Goldstein, I., Burnett, A., Rosen, R.C., Park, P.W., Stecher, V.J.,” The Serendipitous Story of Sildenafil: An Unexpected Oral Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction”, Sexual Medicine Reviews, vol.7 issue 1, pp. 115-128. 2019. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2050052118300830?via%3Dihub
2.McCullough, A.R., “Four-Year Review of Sildenafil Citrate”, Reviews in Urology, vol.4 supp 3, S26 – S38. 2002. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1476025/
3.”Sildenafil citrate”, Prescribers Digital Reference. Available: https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Viagra-sildenafil-citrate-471
4.”Sildenafil”, Drug Bank. Available: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00203
5.Dastjerdi, M.V., Hosseini, S., Bayani, L., “Sildenafil citrate and uteroplacental perfusion in fetal growth restriction”, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, vol.17 issue 7, pp.632-636. 2012. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3685778/
6.Monte, G.L., Graziano, A., Piva, I., Marci, R., “Women taking the “blue pill” (sildenafil citrate): such a big deal?”, Drug Design, Development, and Therapy. Vol.8, pp. 2251-2254. 2014. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4232035/
7.Umrani, D.N., Goyal, R.K., “Pharmacology of Sildenafil Citrate”, Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, vol.43 issue 2, pp. 160-164. 1999. Available: https://www.ijpp.com/IJPP%20archives/1999_43_2/160-164.pdf
8.Cheitlin, M.D., Hutter, A. M., Brindis, R.G., Ganz,P., Kaul,S., Russell, R.O., Zusman, R. M., Forrester, J.S., Douglas, P.S., Faxon, D.P., Fisher, J.D., Gibbons, R.J., Halperin, J.L., Hochman, J.S., Kaul, S., Weintraub, W.S., Winters, W.L., Wolk, M.J.,” Use of Sildenafil (Viagra) in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease”, Circulation, vol.99 issue 1. 1999. Available: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.CIR.99.1.168
9.”Sildenafil citrate”, Prescibers’ Digital Reference. Available: https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Viagra-sildenafil-citrate-471
12.Smith, B.P., Babos, M., “Sildenafil”, StatPearls. 2020. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558978/

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