phosphodiesterase inhibitor (redirected from Phosphodiesterase inhibitors)

phos·pho·di·es·ter·ase inhibitor (fsf-d-st-rs, -rz)

n.

Any of a class of drugs that suppress the enzyme phosphodiesterase, increasing the production of cyclic GMP, which facilitates vasodilation, causing erection in males.

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inhibitor

1. any substance that interferes with a chemical reaction, growth or other biological activity.

2. a chemical substance that inhibits or checks the action of a tissue organizer or the growth of microorganisms.

3. an effector that reduces the catalytic activity of an enzyme.

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coagulation i's

clotting factors.

fibrinolytic i's

clotting factors.

phosphodiesterase inhibitor

inhibits phosphodiesterase, which in turn inactivates cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The effect of the inhibitor is to increase the heart muscle content of cAMP.

reversible i's

pharmaceutical inhibitors which have only a temporary effect, e.g. the cholinesterase inhibitors neostigmine, physostigmine.