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Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors
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Used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and also
explored for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension
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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)
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cGMP – second messenger which relaxes smooth muscle
cGMP
tissues, leading to the increased blood flow in blood vessels