A trial of idazoxan and yohimbine in erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Forty successive referrals to the York Psychosexual Clinic suffering from erectile dysfunction were placed randomly on a double blind crossover trial of idazoxan, which is a new α₂-adrenoreceptor antagonist, or on to a matched placebo. The patients were rated over a period of four weeks; after a week's wash out period a further four weeks' treatment with the alternative preparation was commenced, the rating scales being continued. At the end of the nine week period non-responders were then placed on yohimbine 5 mg tds to 10 mg tds and rated for a further four weeks to establish whether any of the failure group improved on a standard drug currently in use for the treatment of impotence at some clinics. Fifty percent of the idazoxan programme failures made a response to yohimbine.