[How effective are PDE-5 inhibitors?].

Efficacy is a deciding factor in the selection of a therapy, also by erectile dysfunction. With PDE-5 inhibitors, efficacy can only be determined using subjective information from the patient. Various methods have been developed to quantify this information. If one attempts to compare Sildenafil, Tadalafil and Vardenafil using currently available data, it is necessary to bear in mind that groups of patients with differing severity of erectile dysfunction and various placebo response rates were examined. In addition, patients for whom Sildenafil did not work were excluded from important studies with Tadalafil and Vardenafil. Taking into consideration these factors, the new drugs show no advantages over Sildenafil. Moreover, detailed data for the counselling of certain patient groups is at present only available for Sildenafil, and there is, in addition, a high degree of patient satisfaction with this drug. The "gold standard" for the therapy of erectile dysfunction is Sildenafil and the effectiveness of all new drugs must be compared to it.