What is alprostadil?
Alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and to help diagnose certain causes of this disorder. Alprostadil is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with a certain genetic heart condition. This alprostadil medication guide addresses only the adult male use of this medication in erectile disorders.
Alprostadil relaxes blood vessels and muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow into the penis, causing an erection.
Alprostadil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about alprostadil?
Alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and to help diagnose certain causes of this disorder. Alprostadil is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with a certain genetic heart condition. This alprostadil medication guide addresses only the adult male use of this medication in erectile disorders.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to alprostadil, or if you have sickle cell anemia, leukemia, a bone marrow tumor, a curved or deformed penis, penile fibrosis or Peyronie's disease, a penile implant, or if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Before using alprostadil, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder, a history of blood clots, or a disease that could be passed in blood (such as hepatitis or HIV).
The injectable form of alprostadil is injected into the side of the penis. The transurethral pellet is a very small suppository that is inserted into the opening of the penis (the urethra).
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Using too much alprostadil can be very dangerous. The medicine comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully.
Your first dose of this medicine will be given in your doctor's office so you can be observed for how well the medication works and if it causes any side effects.
Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions. Using an alprostadil transurethral pellet improperly could cause damage to your urethra.
Alprostadil is used only when needed to get an erection. An erection should occur within 5 to 20 minutes after you use the medication, and should last for 30 to 60 minutes.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 hours or longer.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using alprostadil?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to alprostadil, or if you have:
sickle cell anemia or the sickle cell anemia 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 have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
To make sure you can safely use alprostadil, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
a history of blood clots;
heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension);
a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; or
a disease that could be passed in blood (such as hepatitis or HIV).
Use a condom to prevent transfer of this medication to your sexual partner if she is pregnant or could become pregnant.
Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, or Muse should not be used by women or by anyone under 18 years old.