Abstract

Disclosed are nitrosated and/or nitrosylated phosphodiesterase inhibitors having the formula NOn -PDE inhibitor wherein n is 1 or 2. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor can be nitrosylated or nitrosated through sites such as oxygen (hydroxyl condensation), sulfur (sulfhydryl condensation), carbon and nitrogen. The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also provides a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE inhibitor), which can optionally be substituted with at least one NO or NO2 moiety, and one to ten fold molar excess of a compound that donates, transfers or releases nitrogen monoxide as a charged species, i.e., nitrosonium (NO+) or nitroxyl (NO-), or as the neutral species, nitric oxide (NO●) or which stimulates endo genous EDRF production The invention also provides compositions comprising such compounds in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also provides a method for treating male impotence in humans by administering the compounds and compositions thereof.