Effect of Oral Administration of Beraprost Sodium on Erectile Dysfunction

Son, In Cheol; Kang, Yun Seog; Suh, Jun Kyu

Abstract

PURPOSE: Beraprost Sodium (BPS) is an orally stable prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue and exerts an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation as well as a potent vasodilatory effect. We investigated the efficacy and safety of BPS in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 74, consecutive patients subjected to have impotence work-ups including history taking, penile duplex ultrasonography, pharmacological erection test, and cavernous nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPH) diaphorase staining. Sixty-six patients continuously received BPS for more than 4weeks (range 4-32 weeks, average 8.4+/-5.8 weeks), bid or tid (a total 80-120microgram/day) for long-term control of ED. Remaining 8 patients intermittently received 40-60microgram of BPS an hour prior to intercourse to obtain immediate erection for on-demand treatment. Sexual function was compared by analysis of an International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and general efficacy based on patient's subjective evaluation after treatment.
RESULTS
IIEFs of all patients were significantly improved after BPS treatment for ED. Erectile function with IIEF question No. 3 and 4 were improved by 1.7+/-1.3 to 3.2+/-1.8 and 1.4+/-0.9 to 2.7+/-1.6, respectively (p<0.05). General efficacy of BPS was shown as full effect in 23%, moderate effect in 31%, mild effect in 26%, and no effect in 20% of the patients. Better sexual function including IIEF and general efficacy were observed in continuous treatment group than on-demand treatment group. Better result was also found in diabetics than non-diabetics (p<0.05) while no difference was observed among psychogenic, vasculogenic, and neurogenic group. The side effect of BPS was minimal; flushing in 8%, headache in 5%, indigestion in 4%, and insomnia in 1% of total patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Oral BPS is a safe and effective agent to treat ED. It remains to be investigative, to determine desirable treatment method and to elucidate long term control of ED in association with oral BPS.