EEG abnormalities during treatment with tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor

Okuyucu E. E., Guven O., Duman T., GÖRÜR S., Melek I. M., Akcin S., ...More

Neurological Research, vol.31, no.3, pp.313-315, 2009 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1179/174313209x382548
  • Journal Name: Neurological Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.313-315
  • Keywords: Electroencephalography, Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, Tadalafil
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: Tadalafil is a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Less is known about the electroencephalography (EEG) effects of PDE-5 inhibitors, and the present study, therefore, examined the risk of EEG abnormalities associated with tadalafil. Method: EEG recordings from 35 erectile dysfunction patients taking tadalafil (20 mg) were graded for severity of EEG abnormalities (at admission, 2 and 48 hours after tadalafil administration). Results: At admission, there were no EEG abnormalities. At second EEG, abnormalities occurred in 12 (34.3%) of the 35 patients. Eight (22.9%) patients had mild and four (11.4%) patients had moderate EEG abnormalities. At third EEG, one (2.9%) patient had mild and one (2.9%) patient had moderate EEG abnormalities. Conclusion: PDE-5 inhibitors may produce EEG abnormalities. Although the exact role of PDE in altering susceptibility to seizure remains unclear, epileptic seizures may occur during treatment with PDE inhibitors. © 2009 W. S. Maney & Son Ltd.