Urologie pro praxi 2/2023

Drug interactions of medications used in the therapy of erectile dysfunction with dietary supplements

Herbal products, or food supplements made from them, can lead to drug interactions as well as drugs. However, manufacturers of such food supplements do not point out possible drug interactions. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (iPDE5) inhibitors are widely used drugs, the common feature of which is degradation by the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 pathways. Inhibitors and inducers of these cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes cause drug interactions of varying severity, and only for some of them is it possible to find a recommended management in the SPC. The aim of the article is to provide basic information about herbal products with the potential to influence pharmacokinetics and, in some cases, probably also the effectiveness and safety of iPDE5.

Keywords: phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, iPDE5, avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, udenafil, vardenafil, drug interactions, herbal medicines.