sildenafil-citrate and Hearing-Loss--Sensorineural

Viagra and PDE-5 inhibitors use has mushroomed since its launch over a decade ago. A growing body of evidence indicates significant morbidity associated with the side effect profile of this class of drug. Hearing loss associated with PDE-5 inhibitor use has recently been reported, but few studies have evaluated the causal link.. To review and scrutinise the current literature on the subject and propose possible physiologic mechanisms and to investigate the global reporting of this side effect.. Pharmacovigilance agencies around North America, Europe, and Australasia were contacted requesting reports of hearing loss associated with PDE-5 inhibitors. Reports were scrutinised to exclude those where others causes of hearing loss existed.. Forty-seven cases of sensorineural hearing loss with a temporal association with PDE-5 inhibitor ingestion were obtained from both published literature and pharmacovigilance agencies. Cases had a mean age 56.6 years, male-to-female ratio of 7:1. Eighty-eight percent of reports were unilateral with an even left/right distribution. Hearing loss occurred within 24 hours of ingestion of PDE-5 inhibitor in 66.7% (n = 18) of cases. Sildenafil accounted for over 50% of cases.. There is increasing evidence that PDE-5 inhibitors may induce sensorineural hearing loss via plausible physiological mechanisms. There needs to be more awareness of this disabling side effect among healthcare professionals responsible for prescribing this drug.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Australasia; Canada; Europe; Female; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; Piperazines; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Purines; Sildenafil Citrate; Sulfones; United States

Sildenafil is widely administered for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Recently, sensorineural hearing loss following the ingestion of sildenafil was reported in one male patient. We examined hearing in mice that were administered high doses of sildenafil for up to 105 d. To assess hearing impairment, we evaluated auditory brainstem responses, auditory middle latency responses, and otoacoustic emissions. At high doses, sildenafil increased the hearing threshold shift of auditory brainstem responses. High-dose sildenafil treatment also resulted in delayed latency of both auditory brainstem responses and auditory middle responses. Otoacoustic emissions differed between control and high-dose sildenafil groups with long-term treatment. Collectively, these data demonstrate that high-dose and long-term sildenafil administration can induce hearing impairment in mice.

Topics: Animals; Cochlea; Cochlear Nerve; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Piperazines; Purines; Sildenafil Citrate; Sulfones

We report a case of bilateral profound unremitting sensorineural hearing loss, in a 44-year-old male patient occurring after ingestion of sildenafil citrate 50 mg/day for 15 days. Audiological evaluation documented the findings. Sildenafil is an effective oral treatment for erectile dysfunction syndrome. It is being used and abused by many people as availability is easy and it can even be bought over the internet. Many patients are unaware of the harmful effects of sildenafil and take the drug without medical supervision. We could not find any previously reported cases of sildenafil induced hearing loss and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of sildenafil induced sensorineural hearing loss in the world literature.

Topics: Adult; Erectile Dysfunction; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Male; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Piperazines; Purines; Sildenafil Citrate; Sulfones