Key Points for Prescribing in Erectile Dysfunction
Patients without SLS indications should not be prescribed on the NHS unless they had
established prescriptions before September 14th 1998.
SLS indications are for a man who



has had prostatectomy or radical pelvic surgery
has renal failure treated by transplant who is receiving treatment for renal failure by dialysis
has diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, poliomyelitis, prostate cancer, severe
pelvic injury, single gene neurological disease or spina bifida
Patients reporting psychological distress because of the condition should be referred for
assessment before prescribing is initiated and psychological measures should also be tried
For any patient qualifying for NHS treatment guidelines advocate no more than 4 treatments
per month.
Prices at April 2010
Sildenafil
Vardenafil
Tadalafil
25mg 16.59
10mg 21.68
10mg 26.99
50mg 21.27
20mg 24.09
20mg 26.99
100mg 23.30
5mg 16.27
5mg 54.99
Sildenafil and vardenafil last about 4 hours and so are recommended for ‘when required’ use.
Tadalafil has a longer period of action; up to 24 hours so can be used for example over a
weekend.
CKS info
http://www.cks.nhs.uk/erectile_dysfunction/management/scenario_assessment/view_full_sce
nario#338901006
Patient Group
Pts with SLS
indication
Pts with SLS
indication
No SLS
indication
Agreement to
Work on
selected Group
Review quantity prescribed to
ensure it is appropriate
Ensure all quantities are for 4 or
less per month
Review repeat prescription
management to ensure that
prescriptions are issued with the
appropriate interval between
them i.e. 8 weeks between scripts
for 56 days ( 8 tablets)
Psychological distress or any
other licensed indication will
require private prescription or
referral to secondary care
Who
When