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ABSTRACT The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are the first-line treatment option for men with erectile dysfunction (ED), with alprostadil considered a second-line choice.
Consideration has to be given to patients who fail these treatments and what their options are. This review evaluates the data on the combination of a PDE5I with alprostadil in patients who
have previously failed therapy with either drug. A PubMed search was conducted and identified nine publications relating to combination treatment with alprostadil as intracavernosal,
intraurethral or topical application. The results indicate that with all three formulations the combination therapy resulted in an improved outcome compared with either of the drugs as
monotherapy. This was demonstrated by the increased total International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores as well as IIEF erectile function domain scores. This finding was also valid
for patients with post-prostatectomy ED. The associated side effects of the combined treatment did not result in treatment discontinuation. These findings suggest that combination therapy
with a PDE5I and alprostadil might be considered a treatment option in patients who have previously had a poor response to either drug. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This
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THERAPY WITH TOPICAL ALPROSTADIL AND PHOSPHODIESTERASE-5 INHIBITORS AFTER FAILURE OF ORAL THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: A PROSPECTIVE, TWO-ARM, OPEN-LABEL, NON-RANDOMIZED
STUDY Article 22 January 2021 MIRABEGRON IMPROVES ERECTILE FUNCTION IN MEN WITH OVERACTIVE BLADDER AND ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: A 12-WEEK PILOT STUDY Article 02 July 2021 CURRENT MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY OF TREATING PATIENTS WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS Article 24 October 2020 REFERENCES * McCabe MP, Sharlip ID, Lewis
R, Atalla E, Balon R, Fisher AD, et al. Incidence and prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women and men: A consensus statement from the fourth international consultation on sexual medicine
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Download references ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Editorial support provided by Medscimedia Ltd and funded by Casen Recordati. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Urology Department, Hospital
La Zarzuela c/Pléyades, Madrid, Spain I. Moncada * Urology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain J. Martinez-Salamanca * Urology Department, Fundació
Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain E. Ruiz-Castañe * Urology Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain J. Romero Authors * I. Moncada View author publications You can also
search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * J. Martinez-Salamanca View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * E. Ruiz-Castañe View author
publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * J. Romero View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Correspondence to I. Moncada. ETHICS DECLARATIONS CONFLICT OF INTEREST IM has taken part in Advisory Board meetings and also acted as a speaker for Casen Recordati and Ferring. The
remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Moncada, I., Martinez-Salamanca, J.,
Ruiz-Castañe, E. _et al._ Combination therapy for erectile dysfunction involving a PDE5 inhibitor and alprostadil. _Int J Impot Res_ 30, 203–208 (2018).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0046-2 Download citation * Received: 25 January 2018 * Revised: 10 May 2018 * Accepted: 20 May 2018 * Published: 26 July 2018 * Issue Date: October 2018 *
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