Alprostadil belongs to a group of medicines called vasodilators,
which cause blood vessels to expand, thereby increasing blood flow.
When alprostadil is injected into the penis, it produces an erection
by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Proper Usage
Alprostadil should never be used as a sexual aid by men who are
not impotent. If improperly used, this medication can cause
permanent damage to the penis.
Alprostadil is available by prescription and should be used only
as directed by your physician, who will instruct you in the proper
way to give yourself an injection so that it is simple and
essentially pain-free.
Alprostadil is sometimes used in combination with a medicine called
phentolamine (Regitine-U.S.; Rogitine-Canada).
Precautions
Do not use more of this medicine or use it more often than it
has been prescribed for you. Using too much of this medicine will
result in a condition called priapism, in which the erection lasts
too long and does not resolve when it should. Permanent damage to
the penis can occur if blood flow to the penis is cut off for too
long a period of time.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects that you should report to your physician so he or
she can adjust the dosage or change the medication: pain at the
injection site; burning or aching during erection.
Rare side effects that require immediate attention: erection
continuing for more than four hours. If you cannot be seen
immediately by your physician, you should go to the emergency room
for prompt treatment.
