The present invention describes novel nitrosated and/or nitrosylated phosphodiesterase
inhibitors, and novel compositions containing at least one nitrosated and/or nitrosylated
phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and, optionally, one or more compounds that donate,
transfer or release nitric oxide, elevate endogenous levels of endothelium-derived
relaxing factor, stimulate endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate
for nitric oxide synthase and/or one or more vasoactive agents. The present invention
also provides novel compositions containing at least one phosphodiesterase inhibitor,
and one or more compounds that donate, transfer or release nitric oxide, elevate
endogenous levels of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, stimulate endogenous
synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase and/or one
or more vasoactive agents. The present invention also provides methods for treating
or preventing sexual dysfunctions in males and females, for enhancing sexual responses
in males and females, and for treating or preventing diseases induced by the increased
metabolism of cyclic guanosine 3,5-monophosphate (cGMP), such as
hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure,
myocardial infraction, stable, unstable and variant (Prinzmetal) angina, atherosclerosis,
cardiac edema, renal insufficiency, nephrotic edema, hepatic edema, stroke, asthma,
bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, dementia,
immunodeficiency, premature labor, dysmenorrhoea, benign prostatic hyperplasis
(BPH), bladder outlet obstruction, incontinence, conditions of reduced blood vessel
patency, e.g., postpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (post-PTCA),
peripheral vascular disease, allergic rhinitis, glucoma, and diseases characterized
by disorders of gut motility, e.g., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).