Sildenafil was launched as Viagra in the US for the treatment of organic orland psychological male erectile dysfunction (ED). It is an orally bioavailable pyrazolopyrimidinone derivative structurally related to zaprinast, with vasodilating and potential anti-inflammatory activities. Upon oral administration, sildenafil selectively targets and inhibits cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), thereby inhibiting the PDE5-mediated degradation of cGMP found in smooth muscle and increasing cGMP availability. This results in prolonged smooth muscle relaxation in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, thereby causing vasodilation, blood engorgement and a prolonged penile erection.
