1. ¹Department of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
2. ²Department of Urology, Matsushita Memorial Hospital, Moriguchi, Japan
3. ³Department of Urology, Rakuwakai-Marutamachi Hospital, Kyoto, Japan
4. ⁴Fujiwara Urological Clinic, Kyoto, Japan

Correspondence: Y Mizutani, MD, Department of Urology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. E-mail: ymizutan@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp

Received 20 December 2004; Revised 31 January 2005; Accepted 10 February 2005; Published online 14 April 2005.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of sildenafil as the first-step tool for erectile dysfunction (ED) in Japanese males. Between March 1999 and March 2003, 281 patients were prescribed five tablets of sildenafil (50 mg) as the first step in the therapeutic management of ED. Of the 281 patients, 206 were evaluable patients. The overall success rate in achieving sexual intercourse in subjects after taking sildenafil was 77.2% (159/206), while 22.8% (47/206) were unsuccessful. The success rates in men with functional ED and organic ED were 91.4% (85/93) and 65.5% (74/113), respectively (P<0.0001). Overall, transient adverse effects of sildenafil occurred in 16 (8%) males. Intolerable adverse effects (edema and dizziness) occurred in only 1% of patients (2/206). Sildenafil citrate may be recommended as the first choice drug for ED because of its high success rate and low invasiveness.