OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term on-demand use of vardenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSWe conducted a questionnaire investigation among 891 ED patients treated by on-demand use of oral vardenafil at 20 mg every 3 days from March 2007 to January 2010, covering the general information of the patients, their need for and attitudes towards the treatment, clinical efficacy and adverse events of the drug, and satisfaction of the patients and their partners after 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTSTreatment and follow-up were completed in 700 patients, of whom 504 (72%) achieved sufficient hardness and duration of penile erection and overall sexual satisfaction, 84 (12%) admitted to improvement of erectile hardness and duration but not adequate satisfaction, and the other 112 (16%) experienced no significant changes. Significant differences were found in IIEF-5 scores, Rigiscan test results and partners TSS scores before and after the treatment (P < 0.05). Most frequent adverse events included flushing (15%), dizziness and headache (10%), dyspepsia (3%), and nasal congestion (1%).

CONCLUSIONLong-term on-demand use of oral vardenafil, in addition to its safety and good tolerance, can effectively improve the erectile function of ED patients, their success rate of sexual intercourse, and overall quality of sexual life.