Drug delivery options and therapeutic advances in the management of erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is estimated that 20–30% of adult men will have at least one episode of ED during their lifetime and the prevalence increases with age. ED is known to have significant negative psychological implications for men, resulting in impaired functional status and a greater prevalence of anxiety and depression.

Areas covered

Medications for the treatment of erectile dysfunction largely revolve around oral, injection, and topical therapies. Though all three modalities are widely used, each delivery option has its own advantages and specific indications. Likewise, there are several new developing treatments for ED that may change the landscape of treatment. The goal of this review is to summarize contemporary drug delivery options used in the treatment of ED and highlight future promising pharmacological developments.

Expert opinion

There are a myriad of new developments on the horizon including new PDE5Is and drug targets, nanotechnology enhancements, stem cell and gene therapy, shockwave therapy, and platelet-rich plasma injections. These are all promising new methods to not only treat ED but also to address the pathology and prevent or eliminate further damage.

KEYWORDS:

• Erectile dysfunction
• andrology
• drug delivery
• nanotechnology
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Article highlights

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is extremely common with 20–30% of men experiencing at least one episode in their lifetime.

• This article reviews contemporary and future developments in drug delivery options in the treatment of ED.

• Medical options for managing ED are outlined in schematic diagrams for the clinician’s reference.

• Future therapies include including next generation phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, rho-kinase inhibitors, melanocortin receptor antagonists, nanotechnology, stem cell injection, gene therapy and low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy and platelet-rich plasma injection.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.