Health
Study links erectile dysfunction drug tadalafil to increased glaucoma risk
Observational research in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found higher rates of elevated eye pressure and glaucoma among men taking the medication.
The short version
- A study of nearly 74,000 men found that those prescribed tadalafil had a 22% higher risk of developing glaucoma compared to non-users.
- The analysis tracked men aged 40 and older with lower urinary tract symptoms over a period of up to five years.
- Researchers emphasized the study shows an association rather than direct causation, and experts suggest regular eye exams for long-term users.
Key facts
- An international research team analyzed health records of nearly 74,000 men aged 40 and older with lower urinary tract symptoms over up to five years.[Fox News]
- The study compared approximately 37,000 men taking tadalafil with a matched cohort not using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.[Fox News]
- Tadalafil users were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma, 32% more likely to have elevated intraocular pressure, and 33% more likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma.[Fox News]
- The study was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Because the study was observational, researchers could not establish whether tadalafil directly causes glaucoma or rule out the influence of unmeasured health conditions and dosage variations over time.[Fox News]