Alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Alprostadil is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with heart problems.
Before Taking Alprostadil:
If You Have Following Conditions
- leukemia
- a tumor of the bone marrow
- a curved or deformed penis
- penile fibrosis or Peyronie’s disease
- heart disease
- high or low blood pressure
- bleeding problems
Alprostadil is used only when needed. An erection should occur within 5 to 20 minutes and last up to 60 minutes.
Alprostadil injection is injected into the side of the penis.
Alprostadil transurethral pellet is a very small suppository to be inserted into the opening of the penis (the urethra).
How to Use?
This medication is used by inserting the suppository into the penis as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. This medication should usually work within 5-10 minutes to produce an erection that lasts for about 30-60 minutes. The manufacturer recommends that you use no more than 2 doses in 24 hours. The site of injection is usually along the dorsolateral aspect of the proximal third of the penis.
Dosage:
Initiate dosing with 2.5 mcg of alprostadil. If there is a partial response at 2.5 mcg, the dose may be increased to 5 mcg within 1 hour. During titration, no more than 2 doses should be given within 24 hours. The optimal dose should produce an erection suitable for intercourse that does not exceed 1 hour. The patient must stay in the physician’s office until complete detumescence occurs.
Contraindications:
- in men who have conditions that predispose them to priapism, such as sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, multiple myeloma, or leukemia
- in men with penile implants.
Side Effects
- bleeding after an injection
- a painful erection
- redness, swelling, tenderness, lumps, unusual shape or curving of the erect penis
- mild pain in your penis, urethra, or testicles
- redness of the penis