Comparative trial of treatment satisfaction, efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil versus apomorphine in erectile dysfunction--an open, randomized cross-over study with flexible dosing.

Author(s): Porst H, Behre HM, Jungwirth A, Burkart M

Affiliation(s): Pfizer Pharma GmbH, 76032 Karlsruhe, Germany.

Publication date & source: 2007-02-26, Eur J Med Res., 12(2):61-7.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Sildenafil and apomorphine are oral agents for the improvement of erection hardness. The aim of the study was a direct comparison of the two compounds under clinical routine conditions. METHODS: 131 previously untreated men with erectile dysfunction (ED) were enrolled in a cross-over trial and randomly allocated to 50 mg sildenafil or 2 mg apomorphine. Dose-adaptation was allowed as required. RESULTS: Improvements in rigidity, the capacity to get and maintain an erection, and sexual confidence were statistically significantly larger with sildenafil (p <0.0001). 90% of the men were satisfied with sildenafil as compared to 46% with apomorphine. At study end, 95% of the patients preferred sildenafil. Both agents were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-over comparison under clinical routine conditions men reported superior efficacy of sildenafil vs apomorphine together with a statistically significantly higher treatment satisfaction.