Alprostadil

Common use

Alprostadil is used to treat Erectile dysfunction (Impotence) and to help diagnose certain causes of this disorder. Alprostadil relaxes blood vessels and muscles in the penis which increases blood flow, causing an erection.

Dosage and direction

Use the medicine exactly as directed. 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. Do not use more than 1 injections in one day. Do not use more than 3 injections per week. Wait at least 24 hours between each injection. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it.

Precautions

Tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart disease; high or low blood pressure; or bleeding problems.
Using alprostadil will not protect you from sexually transmitted disease. Ask your doctor how to prevent disease transmission during sex. Sharing drug or medicine needles is never safe.

Contraindications

You should not use alprostadil if you are allergic to it, or if you have: sickle cell anemia or the sickle cell trait; leukemia; a tumor of the bone marrow (multiple myeloma); a curved or deformed penis; penile fibrosis or Peyronie's disease; if you have a penile implant; or if you must avoid sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Alprostadil should not be used by women or by anyone under 18 years old.

Possible side effect

Common side effects of alprostadil may include: mild pain in your penis, urethra, or testicles; redness of the penis; or warmth or burning in your urethra.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 hours or longer.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially: other medicines injected into the penis; or a blood thinner--heparin, warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

Missed dose

Since alprostadil is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

Overdose

Overdose can cause fainting, or a painful and prolonged erection. Seek emergency medical.

Storage

Store alprostadil injection vials at cool room temperature. After mixing a alprostadil injection, keep it at room temperature and use within 24 hours. Keep away from children.