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

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.