Avanafil: the Second-generation Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

The main objectives of erectile dysfunction (ED) management are to control and reduce associated organic cardiovascular risk factors and to restore the capacity to obtain and maintain a rigid penile erection. Since oral phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitors have a demonstrated efficiency in the number and duration of erections in patients with ED with a favourable benefit-to-risk ratio, they have been recommended in European guidelines as the first-line medical therapy for ED. In January 2016, we published a comprehensive review and meta-analysis on the safety and efficacy of avanafil, a novel second-generation PDE-5 inhibitor. This review aims to shed a special spotlight on the key aspects of this meta-analysis and to discuss how avanafil can provide an added value in the management of ED over first-generation agents.