Mechanism of Action
The physiologic mechanism of erection of the penis involves release of nitric oxide
(NO) in the corpus cavernosum during sexual stimulation. NO then activates the enzyme
guanylate cyclase, which results in increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate
(cGMP), producing smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum and allowing
inflow of blood. Sildenafil has no direct relaxant effect on isolated human corpus
cavernosum, but enhances the effect of nitric oxide (NO) by inhibiting phosphodiesterase
type 5 (PDE5), which is responsible for degradation of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum.
When sexual stimulation causes local release of NO, inhibition of PDE5 by sildenafil
causes increased levels of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum, resulting in smooth muscle
relaxation and inflow of blood to the corpus cavernosum. Sildenafil at recommended
doses has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.
Studies in vitro have shown that sildenafil is selective for PDE5. Its effect
is more potent on PDE5 than on other known phosphodiesterases (10-fold for PDE6,
>80-fold for PDE1, >700-fold for PDE2, PDE3, PDE4, PDE7, PDE8, PDE9, PDE10,
and PDE11). The approximately 4,000-fold selectivity for PDE5 versus PDE3 is important
because PDE3 is involved in control of cardiac contractility. Sildenafil is only
about 10-fold as potent for PDE5 compared to PDE6, an enzyme found in the retina
which is involved in the phototransduction pathway of the retina. This lower selectivity
is thought to be the basis for abnormalities related to color vision observed with
higher doses or plasma levels (see Pharmacodynamics).
In addition to human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, PDE5 is also found in lower
concentrations in other tissues including platelets, vascular and visceral smooth
muscle, and skeletal muscle. The inhibition of PDE5 in these tissues by sildenafil
may be the basis for the enhanced platelet antiaggregatory activity of nitric oxide
observed in vitro, an inhibition of platelet thrombus formation in vivo
and peripheral arterial-venous dilatation in vivo.
Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism
VIAGRA is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with a mean absolute bioavailability
of 41% (range 25-63%). Its pharmacokinetics are dose-proportional over the recommended
dose range. It is eliminated predominantly by hepatic metabolism (mainly cytochrome
P450 3A4) and is converted to an active metabolite with properties similar to the
parent, sildenafil. The concomitant use of potent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors
(e.g., erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole) as well as the nonspecific CYP
inhibitor, cimetidine, is associated with increased plasma levels of sildenafil
(see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Both sildenafil and the metabolite have
terminal half lives of about 4 hours.
Mean sildenafil plasma concentrations measured after the administration of a single
oral dose of 100 mg to healthy male volunteers is depicted below:
Figure 1: Mean Sildenafil Plasma Concentrations in Healthy Male Volunteers.
Absorption and Distribution: VIAGRA is rapidly absorbed. Maximum observed
plasma concentrations are reached within 30 to 120 minutes (median 60 minutes) of
oral dosing in the fasted state. When VIAGRA is taken with a high fat meal, the
rate of absorption is reduced, with a mean delay in Tmax
of 60 minutes and a mean reduction in Cmax of 29%. The
mean steady state volume of distribution (Vss) for sildenafil is 105 L, indicating
distribution into the tissues. Sildenafil and its major circulating N-desmethyl
metabolite are both approximately 96% bound to plasma proteins. Protein binding
is independent of total drug concentrations.
Based upon measurements of sildenafil in semen of healthy volunteers 90 minutes
after dosing, less than 0.001% of the administered dose may appear in the semen
of patients.
Metabolism and Excretion: Sildenafil is cleared predominantly by the CYP3A4
(major route) and CYP2C9 (minor route) hepatic microsomal isoenzymes. The major
circulating metabolite results from N-desmethylation of sildenafil, and is itself
further metabolized. This metabolite has a PDE selectivity profile similar to sildenafil
and an in vitro potency for PDE5 approximately 50% of the parent drug. Plasma
concentrations of this metabolite are approximately 40% of those seen for sildenafil,
so that the metabolite accounts for about 20% of sildenafil's pharmacologic
effects.
After either oral or intravenous administration, sildenafil is excreted as metabolites
predominantly in the feces (approximately 80% of administered oral dose) and to
a lesser extent in the urine (approximately 13% of the administered oral dose).
Similar values for pharmacokinetic parameters were seen in normal volunteers and
in the patient population, using a population pharmacokinetic approach.
Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations
Geriatrics: Healthy elderly volunteers (65 years or over) had a reduced clearance
of sildenafil, resulting in approximately 84% and 107% higher plasma AUC values
of sildenafil and its active N-desmethyl metabolite, respectively, compared to those
seen in healthy younger volunteers (18-45 years). Due to age-differences in plasma
protein binding, the corresponding increase in the AUC of free (unbound) sildenafil
and its active N-desmethyl metabolite were 45% and 57%, respectively.
Renal Insufficiency: In volunteers with mild (CLcr=50-80 mL/min) and moderate
(CLcr=30-49 mL/min) renal impairment, the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose
of VIAGRA (50 mg) were not altered. In volunteers with severe (CLcr=<30 mL/min)
renal impairment, sildenafil clearance was reduced, resulting in approximately doubling
of AUC and Cmax compared to age-matched volunteers with
no renal impairment.
In addition, N-desmethyl metabolite AUC and Cmax values significantly increased
200% and 79% respectively in subjects with severe renal impairment compared to subjects
with normal renal function.
Hepatic Insufficiency: In volunteers with hepatic cirrhosis (Child-Pugh A
and B), sildenafil clearance was reduced, resulting in increases in AUC (84%) and
Cmax (47%) compared to age-matched volunteers with no
hepatic impairment. The pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in patients with severely
impaired hepatic function (Child Pugh class C) have not been studied.
Therefore, age >65, hepatic impairment and severe renal impairment are associated
with increased plasma levels of sildenafil. A starting oral dose of 25 mg should
be considered in those patients (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Pharmacodynamics
Effects of VIAGRA on Erectile Response: In eight double-blind, placebo-controlled
crossover studies of patients with either organic or psychogenic erectile dysfunction,
sexual stimulation resulted in improved erections, as assessed by an objective measurement
of hardness and duration of erections (RigiScan®), after
VIAGRA administration compared with placebo. Most studies assessed the efficacy
of VIAGRA approximately 60 minutes post dose. The erectile response, as assessed
by RigiScan®, generally increased with increasing sildenafil
dose and plasma concentration. The time course of effect was examined in one study,
showing an effect for up to 4 hours but the response was diminished compared to
2 hours.
Effects of VIAGRA on Blood Pressure: Single oral doses of sildenafil (100
mg) administered to healthy volunteers produced decreases in sitting blood pressure
(mean maximum decrease in systolic/diastolic blood pressure of 8.3/5.3 mmHg). The
decrease in sitting blood pressure was most notable approximately 1-2 hours after
dosing, and was not different than placebo at 8 hours. Similar effects on blood
pressure were noted with 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg of VIAGRA, therefore the effects
are not related to dose or plasma levels within this dosage range. Larger effects
were recorded among patients receiving concomitant nitrates (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).
Figure 2: Mean Change from Baseline in Sitting Systolic Blood Pressure, Healthy Volunteers.
Effects of VIAGRA on Cardiac Parameters: Single oral doses of sildenafil
up to 100 mg produced no clinically relevant changes in the ECGs of normal male
volunteers.
Studies have produced relevant data on the effects of VIAGRA on cardiac output.
In one small, open-label, uncontrolled, pilot study, eight patients with stable
ischemic heart disease underwent Swan-Ganz catheterization. A total dose of 40 mg
sildenafil was administered by four intravenous infusions.
The results from this pilot study are shown in Table 1; the mean resting systolic
and diastolic blood pressures decreased by 7% and 10% compared to baseline in these
patients. Mean resting values for right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure,
pulmonary artery occluded pressure and cardiac output decreased by 28%, 28%, 20%
and 7% respectively. Even though this total dosage produced plasma sildenafil concentrations
which were approximately 2 to 5 times higher than the mean maximum plasma concentrations
following a single oral dose of 100 mg in healthy male volunteers, the hemodynamic
response to exercise was preserved in these patients.
Table 1. Hemodynamic Data in Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease After IV
Administration of 40 mg Sildenafil
In a double-blind study, 144 patients with erectile dysfunction and chronic stable
angina limited by exercise, not receiving chronic oral nitrates, were randomized
to a single dose of placebo or VIAGRA 100 mg 1 hour prior to exercise testing. The
primary endpoint was time to limiting angina in the evaluable cohort. The mean times
(adjusted for baseline) to onset of limiting angina were 423.6 and 403.7 seconds
for sildenafil (N=70) and placebo, respectively. These results demonstrated that
the effect of VIAGRA on the primary endpoint was statistically non-inferior to placebo.
Effects of VIAGRA on Vision: At single oral doses of 100 mg and 200 mg, transient
dose-related impairment of color discrimination (blue/green) was detected using
the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test, with peak effects near the time of peak plasma
levels. This finding is consistent with the inhibition of PDE6, which is involved
in phototransduction in the retina. An evaluation of visual function at doses up
to twice the maximum recommended dose revealed no effects of VIAGRA on visual acuity,
intraocular pressure, or pupillometry.