Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a substantial cause of dissatisfaction among many men. This discontentment has led to the emergence of various drug treatment options for this problem. OBJECTIVES: Unfortunately, due to various interactions, contraindications, and side effects, systemic therapies such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (including sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil, etc.) are not welcomed in many patients. These problems have led researchers to look for other ways to reduce these complications. METHODS: This article holistically reviews the efficacy of topical prostaglandins and their role in treating ED. We sought to provide a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the current topic by using the extensive literature search to identify the latest scientific reports on the topic. RESULTS: In this regard, topical and transdermal treatments can be suitable alternatives. In diverse studies, prostaglandins, remarkably PGE1 (also known as alprostadil), have been suggested to be an acceptable candidate for topical treatment. CONCLUSION: Numerous formulations of PGE1 have been used to treat patients so far. Still, in general, with the evolution of classical formulation methods toward modern techniques (such as using nanocarriers and skin permeability enhancers), the probability of treatment success also increases. Hamzehnejadi M, Tavakoli MR, Homayoun F et al. Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:764-781.

A Review on Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the prevalence of erectile dysfunction and impotence among men in recent years, several pharmacotherapies have been considered for such problems. Systemic drug therapies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction have significant issues, including drug interactions and contraindications in a wide range of diseases, which makes researchers seek to design drugs and dosage forms with fewer side effects, interactions, and contraindications with maintained efficacy. OBJECTIVES: 5-Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (5-PDEIs or PDE5Is), previously used systemically to treat erectile malfunction, are now appropriate candidates for topical application with considerable potency and fewer complications. METHODS: We sought to investigate the recent findings on the current subject in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the issue using an extensive literature search to pinpoint the latest scientific reports on this subject. RESULTS: In the present review, the function of 5-Phosphodiesterase inhibitors as topical formulations was evaluated with details including formulation type, adsorption, and comparative efficacy in all recent studies as an acceptable alternative therapy to systemic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the fact that the influential factors in erectile dysfunction interact with many diseases and delinquent treatments, the use of topical therapeutic agents can be promising in mild to moderate cases. The utilization of 5-PDEIs through novel topical and transdermal drug delivery techniques plays a vital role in improving this effectiveness. Hamzehnejadi M, Tavakoli MR, Abiri A, et al. A Review on Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:369-384.

Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a substantial cause of dissatisfaction among many men. This discontentment has led to the emergence of various drug treatment options for this problem. OBJECTIVES: Unfortunately, due to various interactions, contraindications, and side effects, systemic therapies such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (including sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil, etc.) are not welcomed in many patients. These problems have led researchers to look for other ways to reduce these complications. METHODS: This article holistically reviews the efficacy of topical prostaglandins and their role in treating ED. We sought to provide a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the current topic by using the extensive literature search to identify the latest scientific reports on the topic. RESULTS: In this regard, topical and transdermal treatments can be suitable alternatives. In diverse studies, prostaglandins, remarkably PGE1 (also known as alprostadil), have been suggested to be an acceptable candidate for topical treatment. CONCLUSION: Numerous formulations of PGE1 have been used to treat patients so far. Still, in general, with the evolution of classical formulation methods toward modern techniques (such as using nanocarriers and skin permeability enhancers), the probability of treatment success also increases.