Paick JS et al. (2008) Efficacy and safety of mirodenafil, a new oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, for treatment of erectile dysfunction. J Sex Med 5: 2672–2680

A new study reports that mirodenafil, a newly developed oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, is an efficacious and safe treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Many men with ED receiving the currently available PDE5 inhibitors cease treatment, as the drugs might not provide optimal symptom relief, can cause adverse effects, and are expensive. The potential of alternative agents, therefore, warrants further investigation.

Paick et al. investigated the efficacy and safety of mirodenafil in 223 Korean men with ED (mean age 52.9 years). After a treatment-free run-in period of 4 weeks, patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (n = 75) or mirodenafil at fixed doses of either 50 mg or 100 mg (both n = 74) for 12 weeks “as needed”. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed by means of a series of validated questions asked at the start of the study and every 4 weeks thereafter. Adverse changes from baseline were recorded, and a final assessment for adverse events was carried out at week 13.

Compared with placebo, mirodenafil (at both doses) led to greater improvement in erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire and satisfaction with intercourse. These improvements were noted after 4 weeks of treatment. The PDE5 inhibitor also resulted in a more marked increase in overall satisfaction (sexual life, relationships with partner and family, and life in general) than placebo. Mirodenafil was generally well tolerated, and the authors note that the efficacy of mirodenafil is comparable to other PDE5 inhibitors currently available or under trial.