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The role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 19, pages 253–264 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Differences in clinical pharmacology of the currently marketed phosphodiesterase (PDE)5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil are largely determined by their pharmacokinetic (PK) properties and their PDE5 inhibitory activity profile. This review outlines the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationships and their relevance to dose selection and applied pharmacotherapy. It is followed by a detailed comparative discussion on the pharmacokinetics and exposure–response relationship of the currently available PDE5 inhibitors, including known drug–drug interactions and dosage adjustments in special populations. The review is aimed at providing a critical assessment of the pharmacokinetics of PDE5 inhibitors, which may assist clinicians in tailoring drug and/or treatment regimens to the unique needs of each individual patient with erectile dysfunction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    N Mehrotra & B Meibohm

  2. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Division, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    M Gupta

  3. Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

    A Kovar

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  1. N Mehrotra
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  2. M Gupta
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  3. A Kovar
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  4. B Meibohm
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Correspondence to B Meibohm.

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Mehrotra, N., Gupta, M., Kovar, A. et al. The role of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor therapy. Int J Impot Res 19, 253–264 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901522

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901522

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