Udenafil
Udenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction, in the same class as sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil. It was developed by Dong-A Pharmaceutical in South Korea and is sold as Zudena.
Medicine containing Udenafil
Key points
- Same mechanism as the other PDE5 inhibitors: it helps an erection only with sexual stimulation.
- Commercially available in some countries but not approved by the FDA, and not marketed in Australia.
- Never combine with nitrates or nitroglycerin.
How does udenafil work?
Sexual stimulation releases nitric oxide in the penis, which raises a messenger called cGMP. cGMP relaxes the smooth muscle of the blood vessels so more blood flows in. PDE5 breaks cGMP down; udenafil blocks PDE5, so the signal lasts longer.
Safety overview for udenafil
PDE5 inhibitors are absolutely contraindicated with nitrates, because together they can lower blood pressure dangerously. They are used with caution after a heart attack, stroke or life-threatening arrhythmia in the past six months, and with low or high blood pressure at rest or heart failure. They are broken down in the liver, mainly by CYP3A, so some antifungals and HIV medicines raise their levels. Common side effects of udenafil include headache, flushing, indigestion and nasal congestion.
What the sources say
- Udenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that is commercially available but not FDA-approved. (StatPearls)
- PDE5 inhibitors are absolutely contraindicated with nitrates or nitroglycerin. (StatPearls)
Further reading
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