Foquest is Not Recommended for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment
Foquest is not recommended for the treatment of erectile dysfunction as there is no evidence supporting its efficacy for this condition. 1
Evidence-Based Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction
The American College of Physicians and American Urological Association provide clear guidelines on the management of erectile dysfunction:
First-Line Treatment
- PDE-5 inhibitors are the recommended first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction 1
Second-Line Treatment Options
For patients who fail to respond to or have contraindications to PDE-5 inhibitors:
- Intracavernosal injections (primarily alprostadil) 1, 4
- Intraurethral alprostadil 4
- Vacuum constriction devices with vacuum limiters 1
- Topical agents such as topical alprostadil, glyceryl trinitrate, or MED3000 5
Third-Line Treatment
Medications Not Recommended for ED
The American Urological Association explicitly recommends against several treatments that lack sufficient evidence:
- Trazodone - despite its alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonism, studies show no statistically significant benefit over placebo 1
- Yohimbine - can cause blood pressure elevation, increased heart rate, irritability, and tremor; lacks acceptable efficacy data 1
- Herbal therapies - lack regulation, standardization, and sufficient evidence from randomized controlled trials 1
- Testosterone therapy - not indicated for ED in men with normal testosterone levels 1
Important Considerations
- Medication-induced ED accounts for approximately 25% of cases 2
- Common culprits include antihypertensives (especially thiazide diuretics and beta-blockers), 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and SSRIs 2
- When evaluating ED, review medication history thoroughly and consider temporal relationship between medication initiation and ED onset 2
- For patients with comorbid conditions, PDE-5 inhibitors remain safe for on-demand use 3
- Daily PDE-5 inhibitor treatment may benefit men with ED and documented vascular or prostate disease 3
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Failing to screen for cardiovascular disease, as ED can be an early marker
- Using medications without established efficacy like Foquest
- Overlooking potential drug interactions, particularly nitrates with PDE-5 inhibitors
- Neglecting to evaluate testosterone levels in geriatric or difficult-to-treat populations 3
- Assuming ED will resolve after medication withdrawal - the underlying disease often continues to cause ED 3
The evidence clearly shows that established treatments like PDE-5 inhibitors should be used as first-line therapy for ED, while medications without proven efficacy like Foquest should be avoided.