Pharmacokinetics of a Novel Sildenafil Orodispersible Film Administered by the Supralingual and the Sublingual Route to Healthy Men

Abstract

Background

Sildenafil was the first selective drug available on the market as oral therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED). A novel sildenafil orodispersible film (ODF) for ED treatment, containing sildenafil citrate, has recently been marketed.

Objectives

Study objective was to investigate sildenafil bioavailability of the novel ODF formulation after sublingual and supralingual administration.

Methods

In this randomised, two-way cross-over study, 12 healthy male volunteers received a single 50 mg sildenafil dose by the sublingual and supralingual administration routes. Plasma sildenafil was determined up to 12 h post-dose. Peak concentration ( C _max) and area under concentration-time curve (AUC _{0– t} ) were calculated and compared between the two administration routes by analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results

Sublingual and supralingual administration can be claimed equivalent regarding the extent of sildenafil exposure since AUC _{0– t} 90 % CIs corresponded to 94.90–110.58% and were within the pre-specified acceptance range. C _max 90% CIs (79.92–125.57%) were only slightly outside the 80.00–125.00% limits, due to the small sample size, while the time to achieve C _max did not differ between treatments ( p = 0.9277). Rate of exposure of the two administration routes was therefore similar. Reported treatment-related adverse events were mild to moderate headache (33.3% of subjects) and vomiting (8.3%).

Conclusions

In healthy men, sublingual and supralingual administration of sildenafil ODF resulted in a remarkably similar pharmacokinetic profile and confirmed the safety of both study treatments. The recently marketed sildenafil ODF, administered by both investigated routes, can provide a valuable alternative to the marketed solid oral forms (tablets) in ED treatment.