•
Used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and also
explored for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors
•
Block degradative action of PDE5 on cyclic guanosine
monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle cells lining the
blood vessels supplying the corpus cavernosum of the
penis (and arterial walls within the lungs)
•
cGMP = second messenger relaxing smooth muscle tissues,
leading to the increased blood flow in blood vessels
cGMP
PDE5 Inhibitors – Mechanism of Action
cGMP
