Alprostadil is a medication for erectile dysfunction with a slightly different operating principle than other ED drugs on the market. It is a prostaglandin E1 derivative and it should be injected into the erectile tissue. What this means in practice is that where other ED pills should be taken orally, alprostadil should be injected. Prostaglandins are derived from an important fatty acid that is obtained from lipids and also found in the prostate and the laryngeal cavity. Their life expectancy is less than six minutes, but they still have an important role in maintaining an erection as they expand the blood vessels.

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How does it work?

Vasodilation prevents platelet clogging up in the bloodstream. This causes the atheroma not to block the erection. Alprostadil can also be used, for example, in the treatment of some children’s congenital heart diseases. In the treatment of erectile dysfunction, alprostadil is injected into the penis shortly before sexual intercourse. The injection is not painful but very effective: 70 to 90 percent of users receive alprostadil for erectile dysfunction. The product can be injected up to three times a week. This is because more regular injections could result in scarring of the swollen tissue. Generally, the erection achieved with alprostadil usually takes from half an hour to an hour.

You can find more information about impotence, here.

Usage

Alprostadil should be injected into the penis itself. The most popular products containing alprostadil are Vitaros and Caverject. Both are prescription drugs and usually used when oral tablets have not been helpful. Alprostadil may also be a good alternative for men who don’t like to swallow any pills. Do not inject more than one per day and preferably no more than two or three per week. The injection begins to work in about 5-30 minutes.

Price of alprostadil

The package of two ampoules containing alprostadil is currently around 30 pounds. There are 10 micrograms and 20 micrograms available, both of which cost the same amount.

Side effects

Alprostadil should not be used if you have any of the following:

  • Allergies towards the medicine
  • Sickle cell anemia, leukemia or bone marrow cancer
  • Prosthetic penis
  • Disease that prevents you to have sex, such as a serious heart disease
  • Peyron’s disease, scarring or curved the penis
  • Tight foreskin

Side effects may include a priapism or prolonged erection. Priapism refers to an erection lasting more than four hours, which does not go away even if you wanted it to and which is often tough and painful. It can cause permanent damage to the bloodstream of the penis. If this happens, it is important to contact your doctor immediately. Due to the risk of priapism, your doctor must give you a trial dose before initiating the actual dosage. This can reduce the likelihood of priapism and help to determine the appropriate dose for each patient.

Headaches, for example, may occur as a side effect of alprostadil. For a complete list of possible side effects, see the leaflet on the package containing alprostadil.