Alprostadil 10mcg/ml Vial x 1

Alprostadil injections are a medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) that's administered directly into the penis using a small, thin needle. Unlike Sildenafil (Viagra) and Tadalafil (Cialis), which are taken orally and work by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide to relax blood vessels throughout the body, Alprostadil injections work locally by directly relaxing the blood vessels in the penis. This makes Alprostadil injections effective even for men who don't respond to or cannot take oral ED medications due to other health conditions or medications.

Yes, Alprostadil injections can be prescribed on the NHS for men who meet specific criteria. Generally, they're available for men with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or those who have had certain types of surgery. However, availability may vary depending on your local NHS trust's prescribing guidelines. 

Alprostadil injections require injecting the medication directly into the side of the penis using a very fine needle. Before starting treatment, you should be trained on the proper technique, including how to prepare the injection, select the correct site, and administer the dose. You’ll be able to self-administer these injections after proper training. It's important to rotate injection sites and follow all instructions carefully to minimise discomfort and risk of complications. Contact us if you need support finding training.

Alprostadil injections typically produce an erection within 5-10 minutes after administration, which is faster than oral medications that may take 30-60 minutes. The effects generally last between 30 minutes to an hour depending on the dose. This differs from Sildenafil, which lasts about 4-6 hours, and Tadalafil, which can last up to 36 hours, but both require sexual stimulation to work, whereas Alprostadil doesn’t.

Common side effects include pain or burning at the injection site, minor bleeding or bruising, and penile pain. More serious but less common side effects include priapism (an erection lasting more than 4 hours requiring immediate medical attention), penile fibrosis (scarring), and rarely, infection. These risks are different from oral ED medications, which can cause headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, and visual disturbances but don't usually cause penile side effects.

Alprostadil is sometimes considered more appropriate than oral ED medications for men with certain cardiovascular conditions because it acts locally (only in the penis) rather than systemically (absorbed by the whole body). This means it has less impact on blood pressure and heart function compared to drugs like Sildenafil and Tadalafil. Always disclose your complete medical history to us, as Alprostadil isn't appropriate for everyone.

When used correctly and according to prescribed guidelines, Alprostadil is unlikely to cause permanent damage. However, incorrect injection technique, using it too frequently, or ignoring complications can potentially lead to penile scarring or fibrosis. 

An erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism) is a medical emergency. If this occurs, you should go to A&E immediately. Prolonged erections can damage the erectile tissue and lead to permanent ED if not treated promptly. The emergency department will have protocols to reduce the erection, which may include medication, aspiration of blood from the penis, or other procedures. This serious side effect is more common with injectable treatments than with oral ED medications.

Yes, many men who don't respond to oral medications like Sildenafil or Tadalafil find success with Alprostadil. Studies show that over 80% of men (5) who use Alprostadil injections achieve satisfactory erections, including those who previously failed to respond to oral treatments. Alprostadil works through a different mechanism, directly causing blood vessel dilation in the penis without requiring the natural nitric oxide pathway that oral medications depend on.

No, Alprostadil unmixed 10mg and 20mg vials do not need to be refrigerated. There are no special storage instructions, and they can be kept at room temperature in their original packaging. Once opened and mixed with the solvent, the injection should be administered immediately.

No, you shouldn’t usually use Caverject with Cialis unless advised by a doctor. Both medicines work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis. Combining them increases the risk of getting side effects such as prolonged, painful and erections that last for hours or severely low blood pressure.

No, Caverject and Viagra shouldn’t be used together. Doing so increases the risk of dangerously low blood pressure and painful erections that last over four hours. If you’re not getting the expected results, talk to your prescriber, who can recommend safe combinations or alternative treatments.

Alprostadil is excreted entirely from the body within 24 hours. Because the medicine is injected directly into the penis, very little reaches system circulation and any alprostadil that has entered systemic circulation will be rapidly broken down by the body. Regardless, you shouldn’t take more than one injection within 24 hours.