Sildenafil: from angina to erectile dysfunction to pulmonary hypertension and beyond.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review describing the development and clinical history of sildenafil without primary empirical data or systematic review methodology.
PubMed 16883306 · doi:10.1038/nrd2030
What was done
This narrative review describes the historical milestones, scientific advances, and clinical development path of sildenafil (the first selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor) across various indications.
What was found
No quantitative data or statistical comparisons are reported in the abstract. The paper describes the developmental evolution of sildenafil over less than 20 years from an investigational anti-angina agent to an oral treatment for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension, while discussing possible future therapeutic indications.
Why it matters
It outlines the clinical and scientific trajectory of one of the most prominent modern examples of successful drug repositioning.
Limits
As a narrative overview, this paper provides no primary experimental data, systematic review methodology, or quantitative meta-analytic pooling. Specific clinical outcomes, sample sizes, and effect sizes are absent from the abstract.
Cited by
- supports PDE5 inhibitor erectile dysfunction drugs were originally developed and clinically trialed as a treatment for angina.