Use of sildenafil citrate in treatment of Taiwanese men with erectile dysfunction: A single center experience

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of Taiwanese men with erectile dysfunction in the post-marketing era. Methods: From March 24, 1999 to September 30, 1999, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of Sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction. We used questions 3 and 4 of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) as objective efficacy end-points. The patients used a home medication diary to record the subjective efficacy and side effects of sildenafil and their satisfaction with this drug as well as that of their sexual partners. Results: There were 415 patients with erectile dysfunction in our survey. Their ages ranged from 29 to 85 years old with a mean of 60 years. Of these, 212 patients (51.1%) returned their home medication diaries. The satisfaction rate of these patients was 81.6% and the satisfaction rate of their sexual partners was 71.2%. About 71% of these patients achieved more than 60% rigidity. The most common side effect was facial flushing (45.8%), followed by dizziness (13.7%), visual disturbances (10.8%), headache (8%), nasal congestion (8%) and dyspepsia (4.7%). Conclusion: Sildenafil citrate is an effective oral medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Taiwanese men. Our study noted more facial flushing and visual disturbances than other studies. These side effects were transient and well tolerated by most of the patients.