Alprostadil
 
What is Alprostadil and why is it prescribed?
Alprostadil is used to treat male impotence. Your doctor also may use Alprostadil to help diagnose the exact nature of your impotence. Alprostadil is taken by injection. Alprostadil is known to have caused extremely long-lasting erections. Serious harm can occur from such a prolonged erection, so call your doctor or seek other professional help if an erection lasts more than 4 hours. Usually the erection should last about 1 hour.

How should you take Alprostadil?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Alprostadil. Alprostadil is injected into a specific area of the penis and produces an erection within 5 to 20 minutes. Do not use Alprostadil more than 3 times a week. Wait at least 24 hours between use. The first injections are performed by your doctor in the doctor's office in order to determine the proper dosage. Afterwards, you can inject Alprostadil yourself as needed. Your doctor will train you in the proper technique for injecting Alprostadil and you'll be given complete printed instructions. Follow these directions exactly and do not change the dose your doctor has determined. Do not use a Alprostadil solution that appears cloudy or colored or that contains particles. Do not shake the vial. Wash your hands thoroughly and do not touch the needle. Carefully choose the injection site as instructed by your doctor, always avoiding visible veins. Cleanse the site with an alcohol swab. With each use, alternate the side of the penis and the site of the injection. Use the needle/syringe and vial only once, then discard them properly. Do not share needles or allow anyone else to use your medication. Alprostadil comes in both 10 microgram and 20 microgram strengths. Make sure you are using a vial with the correct strength. Store unused packs of Alprostadil at room temperature for up to 3 months. Protect from freezing or from overheating. Once the Alprostadil solution is mixed, you must use it immediately or discard it. When traveling, take care to prevent exposing Alprostadil to freezing or excessive heat. Do not store Alprostadil in checked luggage or leave it in a closed car.

Are there any Alprostadil side effects?
Alprostadil side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. The most common side effect is mild to moderate pain in the penis during and/or after injection, reported by about one-third of users. A small amount of bleeding may occur at the injection site. Notify your doctor if you have a condition or are taking a medication that interferes with blood clotting. As with any injection, the site can become infected. Call your doctor if you notice any redness, lumps, swelling, tenderness, or curving of the erect penis. Your doctor should examine your penis regularly if you use Alprostadil. Use of Alprostadil may result in formation of fibrous tissue in the penis or erections at an unusual angle. If those side effects occur, inform your doctor and stop using Alprostadil. More common Alprostadil side effects may include blood-filled swelling at the site of injection, disorder of the penis, hardened tissue in the penis, pain in the penis, prolonged erection, and upper respiratory infection. Less common Alprostadil side effects may include abnormal vision, back pain, bruising at the injection site, cough, dizziness, flu symptoms, headache, heart attack, high blood pressure, infection, inflamed or enlarged prostate, injuries/fractures/abrasions/lacerations/dislocations, leg pain, nasal congestion, pain, redness, sinus inflammation, and skin disorders. Rare Alprostadil side effects may include abnormal ejaculation, bleeding at the urethra, blood in the urine, dizziness, dry mouth, extreme dilation of the pupils, fainting, fluid retention at the injection site, frequent or urgent urination, hemorrhage at the injection site, impaired urination, inflammation, irritation, itching, lack of sensation, leg cramps, low blood pressure, nausea, numbness, painful erection, pelvic pain, profuse sweating, rash on the penis, redness, sensitivity, swelling at the injection site, swelling of the head of the penis, swelling of the scrotum, testicular pain, tightness of the foreskin, warmth, weakness, and yeast infection.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Alprostadil?
If Alprostadil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. No interactions have been reported, but Alprostadil should not be used with other drugs that act on blood vessels, such as blood pressure medications. You may have some bleeding at the site of injection or insertion. If you are taking anticoagulants such as heparin or Coumadin you may bleed more. Make sure that any doctor who prescribes an anticoagulant is aware that you are using Alprostadil.

Are there any special warnings about Alprostadil?
Alprostadil offers no protection from the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Small amounts of bleeding at the injection or suppository site can increase the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases such as HIV. Remember that development of any unusual deformity of the penis while using Alprostadil is a signal to stop taking the injections and inform your doctor.
 

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor.
 

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