Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors are a class of drugs that can affect blood flow and signal cells in the body. It blocks the PDE5 enzyme from working. These are groups of drugs commonly used to treat Erectile Dysfunction and Pulmonary Hypertension. Because the body has the same type of cells in the blood vessels of the lungs and of the penis. Viagra has been used to treat erection problems for many years.
There are two types of PDE 5 inhibitors used for Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Pulmonary Hypertension:
Sildenafil:
Sildenafil is brand name Viagra, it takes 1 hour to work after you take it. It lasts about 12 hours on the whole body. Like other PDE5 inhibitors, only during sexual intercourse.
Tadalafil:
Tadalafil also known as Cialis, usually takes about 20 minutes to work and should take at least half an hour before intercourse. Tadalafil is also FDA-approved and used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Avanafil:
Avanafil also known as Stendra is an erectile dysfunction medication. This medication is effective faster than other ED medication, lasting 15 minutes and not as long as 6 hours at most. Avanafil has fewer side effects than some other ED medications.
Vardenafil:
Vardenafil (Levitra) has its maximum effect after 1 hour. It has the shortest onset of any PDE5 inhibitor, with an onset of action within 10 minutes.
How does a Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor work?
PDE 5 inhibitors have a vasodilating effect on the penis, which means they help relax blood vessels, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure. The process of having your erection is complex. When you engage in any type of sexual activity your parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Muscle activity increases the production of molecules called nitric oxide (NO) which increases the production of another molecule known as Cyclic GMP.
Cyclic GMP is used to relax the smooth muscle in your blood vessels and also increase your blood pressure by about 20 to 40 times. However, PDE5 inhibitors are structurally similar to cyclic GMP and bind to PDE5 to block this breakdown. This process increases NO activity and promotes blood flow.
Benefits of Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor:
PDE inhibitors have many advantages that make them useful for treating certain conditions. These benefits include:
Convenient forms:
PDE inhibitors come in a variety of forms, including oral, subcutaneous, and intravenous (IV) injections.
Targeted therapy:
Selectively targeting certain PDEs can treat any condition without affecting other organs in the body (which can cause unwanted side effects).
Many other beneficial effects:
There are conditions that PDE inhibitors can treat that often occur concurrently. Examples of this include benign prostatic hypertrophy and erectile dysfunction. Tadalafil is FDA-approved for the treatment of two PDE-5 inhibitors. Another example is apremilast, which can treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Side effects
People taking nitrate medications should avoid taking PDE5 inhibitors. The combination of both drugs can cause a significant drop in blood pressure, which can be fatal.
People may be taking nitrate medications for chest issues. These include:
- Nitroglycerin
- Isosorbide dinitrate
- Amyl nitrate
- Cold-like symptoms
- Vision problems
What foods contain PDE5 inhibitors?
PDE5 inhibitors occur naturally in some herbs. These herbs are commonly marketed as supplements and marketed to treat ED or enhance male potency.
FDA Trusted Source warns against dietary supplements for ED because many of these products have unspecified ingredients that can be harmful. The safety and efficacy of these supplements have not been well studied.
- Horny Goat Weed
- Black Ginger
- Tribulus Terrestris
- Osage orange
Summary:
PDE5 inhibitors are groups of medications used to treat ED. Blocking PDE5 relaxes blood vessels, increasing blood flow to certain areas of the body. This effect suggests that they can help manage conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction and Pulmonary hypertension.
People taking nitrate medications should not take PDE5 inhibitors because the combination can cause dangerously low blood pressure, which can be fatal. Other drugs, foods, supplements, or herbal products may contain PDE5 inhibitors. These are not subject to FDA regulation and may contain unlisted ingredients or contaminants, or interact with other chemicals.
Before taking these medications, people should discuss with their doctor any potential side effects or drug interactions with the PDE5 inhibitors.
FAQs:
Q1. Is PDE5 a Viagra?
Ans: There are two types of PDE 5 inhibitor which is currently used to treat pulmonary hypertension and erectile dysfunction Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Ascirca).
Q2. Is it safe to take Viagra?
Ans: Yes, Viagra is safe for most people to take. But first, always take advice from your doctor before taking it. If you have any other medical conditions such as heart issues then Viagra is not a safe option for you.
Q3. Does Viagra increase timing?
Ans: Viagra does not help you last longer if you’re roaming faster than you want to
Q4. What foods should you avoid when taking Viagra?
Ans: What you eat and when you eat it can interfere with Viagra. Avoid fatty foods on days you plan to take Viagra. This can slow down the effects of Viagra.
Q5. What enzyme inhibits cAMP?
Ans: Intracellular cAMP levels are tightly regulated not only by AC but also by the enzyme Phosphodiesterase (PDE). PDEs antagonize cAMP signaling by degrading cellular cAMP.
Q6. What is the relationship between ATP and cAMP?
Ans: These two molecules contain nucleotides. ATP is the primary useful energy source for the cell. Whenever a cell needs to work, it can break down ATP to release energy. CAMP is derived from ATP.
Q7. Where is Phosphodiesterase found?
Ans: It is expressed in the smooth muscle, brain, and cardiovascular tissues and is the largest PDE and is the largest PDE subfamily with more than 35 different identified to date.
Q8. Does PDE5 increase with age?
Ans: The PDE5 gene is associated with aging and Hypogonadism in the area of the corpus cavernosum.
Q9. What is stronger than Viagra?
Ans: Structurally, Vardenafil (Levitra) is similar to sildenafil, while tadalafil (Cialis) is very different. Vardenafil (Levitra) is about 10 times more potent biologically than sildenafil, so lower doses are needed to facilitate erection, and can cause fewer side effects
Q10. Is tadalafil stronger than Viagra?
Ans: Although both drugs produce quality erections, fewer men had satisfying erections with sildenafil, according to the study. However, tadalafil stays in the bloodstream longer, and many men in the same study want, perhaps that sense.
