Introduction: We report the methodology and results of a study that compared a dopaminergic agonist, apomorphine, with a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, in terms of efficacy, tolerability, satisfaction and patient preference. Patients and Methods: This was a 20-week open- label, randomized, flexible-dose, crossover study to assess the comparative efficacy and safety of sildenafil and apomorphine. One sequence group received treatment with sildenafil followed by apomorphine and the other sequence group received treatment with apomorphine followed by sildenafil. The primary efficacy variable was the measurement of the score of the erectile function domain (the sum of questions 1–5 and 15) of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. The secondary efficacy variables were: the responses to the Global Efficacy Assessment Questions; the score of the responses to all the questions of the IIEF questionnaire; the index score of the Erectile Dysfunction Inventory of Treatment Satisfaction questionnaire, and the event log variables. Results and Conclusions: A marked increase in the mean IIEF score was observed after treatment with sildenafil, compared with a small increase following treatment with apomorphine. The mean baseline and final scores before and after treatment with sildenafil were 13.9 ± 5.2 and 24.1 ± 5.2, while the corresponding mean scores before and after treatment with apomorphine were 14.2 ± 5.1 and 16.8 ± 6.2. The comparison between treatments showed a statistically significant difference in favor of sildenafil. Furthermore, sildenafil was found to be significantly superior to apomorphine in all the other secondary variables, produced a high level of patient satisfaction, and a significantly larger number of patients indicated their preference for sildenafil compared to apomorphine.

Keywords:
Sildenafil, Apomorphine, Erectile dysfunction
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.