Evaluation of efficacy and safety profile of tadalafil 5 mg daily dose in the tablet form versus oral dispersible film in men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction: a comparative placebo-controlled study

Purpose We aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and compliance of tadalafil 5 mg daily dose in the tablet form versus oral dispersible film (ODF) in men with mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods One hundred thirty-five randomized patients were equally divided into three groups according to age where each group included forty-five patients. Within each group, 15 patients received oral tadalafil 5 mg, 15 patients received ODF tadalafil 5 mg and 15 patients received a placebo once daily for 1 month. All participants were assessed by the validated Arabic version of the international index of erectile function (ArIIEF-5) at baseline and after 1 month. Also, the efficacy of different forms of tadalafil 5 mg was assessed by responding affirmatively to a questionnaire. Results Patients aged > 25 to < 40 years and 40-55 years and > 55 years showed a statistically significant improvement of ArIIEF-5 scores after tadalafil 5 mg tablet and ODF tadalafil 5 mg compared to placebo ODF (23 +/- 1.4; 22.7 +/- 0.9; 20 +/- 0.9; 20.4 +/- 1.3; 20.2 +/- 1.2; 16.6 +/- 1.2; 18.5 +/- 1.7; 19.6 +/- 1.4; 16.3 +/- 1.4; p < 0.001, respectively). Three patients (> 25 to < 40 years) who received tadalafil 5 mg tablet showed muscle and back pain. Gastrointestinal (GIT) upset (eight patients) followed by headache (seven patients) were the main side effects reported in patients (40-55 years) who received tadalafil 5 mg tablet. While GIT upset was the main side effect reported in patients (> 55 years) who received tadalafil 5 mg tablet. Conclusion ODF tadalafil 5 mg is an effective, tolerable, and safe formulation that can be used in patients with mild-to-moderate ED.