Description
Alprostadil belongs to a family of medications known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins like alprostadil cause increased blood flow to certain areas of the body by causing the blood vessels in the area to widen. This medication is used to treat erectile dysfunction by causing increased blood flow to the penis in particular.
The goal of this medication is to achieve erections that last from 30 minutes or up to one hour. Alprostadil relaxes the smooth muscle of the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the penis to produce an erection. It can produce an erection in about 5 to 10 minutes, but this varies from person to person.
The Vitaros system uses an applicator to insert a pellet of medication into the urethra (the tube that urine passes through in the penis). This is usually done just after urination. The pellet then dissolves and the medication enters the blood-filled spaces of the penis (corpora cavernosa), where it works to cause an erection.
The usual starting dose of alprostadil is 250 µg, and depending on your response to the medication, it may be increased up to 1,000 µg as directed by your doctor. The medication should not be used more than twice in a 24-hour period. The applicator should be used only once and then discarded safely. For best results, sit, stand, or walk for the first 10 minutes after you use the medication.
If the erection lasts for 2 hours, try to reduce the erection by methods suggested by your doctor. A prolonged erection (4 hours or more) should be reported to your doctor immediately.
Do not insert alprostadil into an erect penis. Never increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor. It is important to visit your doctor regularly, at least every 3 months during therapy, to ensure that the medication is working safely and effectively.
