Safety of PDE-5 inhibitors
Safety of PDE-5 inhibitors
Before making a supply of PDE-5 inhibitors, the pharmacist should ensure that it is safe for the customer to take this medication.
Ensure that the medication is not contra-indicated or interact with any of the customer’s regular medication.
Asking appropriate questions to verify if the medication is clinically suitable.
Clinical Contraindications
- Customers under the age of 18
- Female customers
- Customers whom sexual intercourse is inadvisable
- Allergic reaction to the active ingredient
- Allergic reaction to the excipients in the medication, including lactose or galactose
- Use of other concomitant treatments for erectile dysfunction.
- Customers with anatomical deformation of the penis.
- Customers with conditions that may predispose them to Priapism.
- Bleeding disorders
- Stomach ulcers
- Hypotension (blood pressure <90/50mmHg)
- Uncontrolled Hypertension
- Customers with Cardiovascular risk factors
- Unstable Angina
- Customers who have suffered loss of vision
- Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Check SmPC for more drug specific contraindications (refer to the 'References' page of this module).
- Drug Nitrates
- Riociguat
- Alpha-blockers
- CYP3A4 inhibitors
- CYP3A4 inducers
- Grapefruit juice
- Recreational drugs such as ‘poppers’
See SmPC for drug specific interactions (refer to the 'References' page of this module).
Side effects
Customers should be advised of some of the side-effects of treatment
Most of the side-effect associated with PDE-5 inhibitors are mild or moderate and are often short in duration.
Some of the common side-effects include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Nausea, GI disturbances
- Nasal Congestion
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and colour distortions.
See product specific literature such as BNF or SmPC for more drug-specific side-effects and for less common side-effects (refer to the 'References' page of this module).