Conclusions
In response to sexual stimulation, sildenafil effectively potentiates the natural dilatation of arteries supplying blood to the penis and corpora cavernosa. The drug is well tolerated and appears to have few significant side effects and a limited number of drug interactions. It adequately satisfies the medical and public desire for a discreet, noninvasive form of therapy for erectile dysfunction. Generally, however, patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction and those with mild organic causes are most likely to benefit from sildenafil. The drug will likely not be as effective in patients with more significant medical problems. Despite direct marketing of the drug to patients, and media coverage that has bordered on sensationalism, it remains incumbent upon the physician to evaluate and counsel the patient thoroughly prior to prescribing the drug because its true efficacy and safety will not be known for some time.
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Licht, M.R. Use of oral sildenafil [Viagra] in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Compr Ther 25, 90–94 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02889601
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02889601