You inject alprostadil into the side of your penis. Transurethral alprostadil is a type of suppository. You insert a tiny tablet or pellet into your urethra (the tube in your penis through which pee comes out of your body).

MeSH terms

You must mix it with a liquid before you inject it into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. It’s important to know that there isn’t one set dose for alprostadil. You may need to gradually adjust the dosage according to how your body responds. It may take some time to find the right dose. If a healthcare provider prescribes injectable alprostadil, they’ll teach you how to use it. It gradually breaks down inside your urethra and absorbs into your body. Studies show that transurethral alprostadil is less effective. There’s also a greater association with pain in your penis and burning.

Topical alprostadil comes in the form of a cream or gel.

• Creams for ED can provide an alternative for those unable to take pills.
• Common ingredients include alprostadil, papaverine, or phentolamine.
• These agents dilate blood vessels to facilitate erection.
• Side effects can include local burning, redness, or pain.
• Not suitable for individuals with certain allergies or penile conditions.

You apply it to the end of your penis before sexual intercourse. However, topical alprostadil doesn’t have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. It isn’t available in the U.S. as of yet. It’s important that you follow your alprostadil directions carefully.

New Cream for Erectile Dysfunction: MED3000, an FDA-Approved Gel

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Alprostadil is a type of vasodilator that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence). Vasodilators help increase blood flow through the blood vessels (arteries) by relaxing their walls and making them wider.

Have you ever tried a topical cream for erectile dysfunction to improve your symptoms?

Alprostadil is identical to a naturally occurring substance in your body that helps keep the blood vessels open. You shouldn’t use alprostadil if you don’t have ED. It’s also unsafe to take more than your healthcare provider recommends. Improper use of alprostadil could cause permanent damage to your penis that prevents you from getting erections. Healthcare providers usually prescribe alprostadil to help treat ED by increasing blood flow inside your penis, which helps you maintain an erection.

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You might take alprostadil if pills to treat ED don’t work or cause side effects. This medication is considered the next step up in therapy. Before taking alprostadil, tell your doctor if you: Have had an allergic reaction to alprostadil. Have allergies to foods, preservatives or dyes. Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including herbal or dietary supplements. You shouldn’t use injectable alprostadil more than two to three times per week. You should wait at least 24 hours between each time you use it. Avoid using transurethral alprostadil more than twice every 24 hours.

You should be able to get an erection within five to 20 minutes of taking injectable alprostadil. Transurethral alprostadil should start to work within 10 minutes. Alprostadil isn’t a cure for erectile dysfunction. But when you use it correctly, it’s a safe, effective, long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction. Many people choose to use alprostadil for a long time. The primary benefit of alprostadil is that it helps you to get and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It causes an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse in about 80% of men. Very rarely, injectable alprostadil may also cause a penile infection. Your erection should last between 30 minutes and an hour.

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Anxiety and depression can play a role in developing ED. The brain and the body work together to get aroused, sending blood flow to the penis so you can get and maintain an erection. If you’re feeling low or nervous, as with sexual performance anxiety, you might experience ED. Psychological ED (meaning the cause of ED is mental instead of physical) can be manageable. Therapy or sexual counseling are tools that can help you work through mental hurdles contributing to your ED.

Change of medication

Some of the latest ED treatments work in tandem with lifestyle changes. Lifestyle factors that could affect ED include: According to a 2020 review of studies, lifestyle modifications play a significant role in improving sexual health. If PDE5 inhibitors aren’t working for you, or you just don’t want to take them, alprostadil cream might be an effective alternative. Studies show this topical ED medication is effective in more than 80 percent of ED patients. When looking for erectile dysfunction solutions, keep in mind: It affects around 30 million men in the U.S.

Ingredients and Potential Allergies

alone. It affects around 30 million men in the U.S. alone. The first line of treatment is PDE5 inhibitors. These medications include Viagra® and Cialis®, among others. You may continue to have an erection after you orgasm, but it should go away within an hour. Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if: You develop a painful curve when you have an erection. Your erection lasts longer than two hours. You have swelling or pain in your testicles, perineum or legs. Veins in your legs start to swell. You develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills or nausea and vomiting. You develop scarring or hard areas on your penis.

Understanding Erectile Dysfunction

Have a history of painful, long-lasting erections (priapism). Have any medical conditions, including congenital conditions cenforce100 (abnormalities since birth) that affect your penis, severe curvature when you have an erection (Peyronie’s disease), a penile infection or a condition that slows down your blood flow (such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, sickle cell disease or essential thrombocythemia). You may inject alprostadil by itself or as a mix with other medications to increase its effectiveness. Names for the alprostadil mix may include Bimix, Trimix and Quadmix. As a single ingredient, alprostadil comes in powder form. The alprostadil solution looks cloudy, is a different color or has debris. Go to the nearest emergency room if your erection lasts longer than four hours. No, you shouldn’t combine alprostadil with other oral medications for ED. Taking alprostadil in combination with Viagra or other similar drugs may increase toxic effects. The most common complication includes a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. Without proper treatment, it can cause permanent damage to your penile tissue. The average cost of alprostadil is over $500 for a 5-milliliter (teaspoon size) vial. The cost per dose depends on how much you need to inject, which varies from person to person. The lower the volume that you need to inject, the more doses per vial you’ll get, which makes it cheaper per dose.

Choosing the Right ED Cream for You

If you don’t want to take PDE5 inhibitors or don’t tolerate them well, erectile dysfunction cream can serve as a secondary option. Potential erectile cream side effects include application site burning, penis pain, prolonged erections, painful erections, or burning in your partner’s genital area. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, exercising, keeping low-stress levels, and avoiding drugs and excessive alcohol can help improve ED and sexual intercourse. Always consult a medical professional before starting any new medication for ED. They can discuss the side effects, potential drug interactions, and contraindications.

Cost of Eroxon in India

If you have ED and think a psychological issue might be at play, consider speaking with a mental health provider. Schedule a call with a healthcare provider today to find the right ED treatment for your needs. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction. Lifestyles and sexuality in men and women: the gender perspective in sexual medicine. Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Vitaros©/Virirec© (Alprostadil Cream) for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction .

Where can I buy topical cream for erectile dysfunction?

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases. Long-Term, Multicenter Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Alprostadil Cream in Male Patients with Erectile Dysfunction. Alprostadil is a medication that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction. There are two main types: a solution that you inject directly into your penis and a suppository that you insert into your urethra. Side effects aren’t common, but may include an allergic reaction, pain and bruising. The cost of alprostadil may also depend on: The pharmacy where you pick up your prescription. Alprostadil can help treat erectile dysfunction and improve your sex life. ED can cause a lot of different feelings — frustration, embarrassment, shame and even humiliation. You may even experience these feelings when you seek help from a healthcare provider. But ED is common, and providers are available to help you and make you as comfortable as possible with your questions and concerns. Ask a provider if alprostadil is the best treatment for you or if another medication is better. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. Alprostadil (Injectable and Transurethral) ( Updated 8/3/2021. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. At Cleveland Clinic, we offer specialty care that’s focused on you. We understand that patients often have questions about any new treatments they take. This FAQ is meant to supplement your advice and recommendation, providing further clinical information on the efficacy and safety of Eroxon®. Eroxon® is the first and only FDA-cleared, topical, OTC product to help treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

• Topical ED creams may prevent some cardiovascular risks linked to pills.
• Always consult a healthcare provider before using ED creams.
• Some creams require refrigeration and proper storage.
• Edible or penetrative products are not replaced by topical creams.
• Regular follow-up with a doctor enhances treatment safety.

It’s fast-acting and offers a safe treatment option for both patients and their partners. Below, we’ve provided clear, comprehensive information about how Eroxon® works, its benefits, and how it should be used. Objective: To repeat a previous study on the use of a topical treatment for erectile failure using a vasoactive cream. Patients and methods: Fourteen patients with erectile failure who had previously responded to intracorporeal injection therapy were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.