Injections and Topical Treatments

Treatments Using Alprostadil

Alprostadil is derived from a natural substance, prostaglandin E1, which opens blood vessels. This medicine is an effective treatment for many men with ED. It can be administered by:

• Injection into the erectile tissue of the penis (such as Caverject or Edex)
• A system that administers the drug in pellets placed in the urethra (MUSE system)

Candidates. Alprostadil is not an appropriate choice for men with:

• Severe circulatory or nerve damage
• Bleeding abnormalities or men who are taking medications that thin the blood, such as heparin or warfarin
• Penile implants

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Review Date: 07/20/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)