Five‐year experience with tadalafil in the UK: an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical condition. In the UK, approximately 2.3 million men suffer from moderate-to-severe ED, many of whom do not consult a healthcare professional about the problem. Phosphodiesterase-type 5 (PDES) inhibitors have revolutionised treatment for ED and three such drugs are currently available: sildenafil citrate, tadalafil and vardenafil HCl. Methods: This article reviews available information on the efficacy and safety of tadalafil for the treatment of ED, with a focus on clinical experience in the UK. Results: The clinical effects of tadalafil have been shown to last for up to 36 h after administration, longer than the other PDE5 inhibitors, which are effective for only 4―5 h after dosing. Extensive clinical experience with tadalafil, worldwide and in the UK, supports its efficacy and tolerability in many patient populations, including those with comorbidities often associated with ED. Conclusions: Studies have shown that tadalafil is an effective ED treatment, regardless of disease severity and cause, patient age and presence of comorbid conditions. As the treatments for ED have evolved, patient preference has emerged as an important aspect of ED therapy.