I wrote about drugs like Viagra – a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor – decade ago as a possible anabolic agent, and more data has been published since suggesting a benefit to bodybuilders and other athletes. However, more interesting to me, these drugs may have more general health and anti aging effects and they have been found to demonstrate systemic vascular benefits by improving endothelial function. A review paper entitled “From rapalogs to anti-aging formula” named phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 inhibitors) as an anti aging drug along with a list of others with good data. Regarding PDE5 drugs the author states:
“…there is a fundamental reason to consider PDE5 inhibitors as anti-aging medicines (in both men and women). The key word is “relax”. Senescent cells are tense and stressed. Cellular senescence is manifested by hyper-function. On the organism levels hyper-function is translated in hypertension, hyperplasia, hyperlipidemia and so on. By ‘relaxing the tension’, PDE5 inhibitors may slow senescent-associated pathology. PFE5 inhibitors cause anti-vasoconstriction, anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Not co-incidentally, PDE5 inhibitors are already approved or investigated for therapy of diverse age-related diseases and conditions. Sildenafil and tadalafil are approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension. PDE5 inhibitors are under investigation for heart hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome.”
More data is needed to examine the possible benefits listed above, but more compelling is the cardiovascular effects. Multiple studies find a statistically significant reduction in heart failure (HF) and all cause mortality. One 2024 study, “PDE5 inhibition mitigates heart failure in hyperlipidemia” found the drug was a reduced the risk of HF in hyperlipidemia-related HF by combining evidence from population-based study and animal models. More compelling is a recent large A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis entitled “Long-term Effects of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Death: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” in European Heart Journal – Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, demonstrated long term use PDE5 drugs was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Other studies suggest these drugs may be beneficial with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and are worth pursuing for that use in my view.
Conclusions
PDE5 drugs have shown to have an excellent safety profile, are off patent (so they’re inexpensive…) and have the “side effect” of improved erections for men, and some possible sexual benefits for women too, as well as utility in the gym. As always, discuss any drug use with your doctor if considering the use of a PED5 inhibitor, but my take is that while more RCT’s – versus population studies – are needed, they are of value for a wide range of uses and may be a legit longevity drug.
Will Brink is the owner of the Brinkzone Blog. Will has over 30 years experience as a respected author, columnist and consultant, to the supplement, fitness, bodybuilding, and weight loss industry and has been extensively published. Will graduated from Harvard University with a concentration in the natural sciences, and is a consultant to major supplement, dairy, and pharmaceutical companies.
His often ground breaking articles can be found in publications such as Lets Live, Muscle Media 2000, MuscleMag International, The Life Extension Magazine, Muscle n Fitness, Inside Karate, Exercise For Men Only, Body International, Power, Oxygen, Penthouse, Women’s World and The Townsend Letter For Doctors.
He’s also been published in peer reviewed journals.
Will is the author of the popular e-books, both accompanied by private members forum access , Bodybuilding Revealed & Fat Loss Revealed.
You can also buy Will’s other books on Amazon, Apple iBook, and Barnes and Noble.
