What is alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and to help diagnose certain
causes of this disorder. Alprostadil is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with a
certain genetic heart condition.
This alprostadil medication guide addresses only the
adult male use of this medication in erectile disorders.
Alprostadil relaxes blood vessels and muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow into
the penis, causing an erection.
Alprostadil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Do not use alprostadil if you have:
-
sickle cell anemia or the sickle cell anemia trait;
-
leukemia;
-
a tumor of the bone marrow (multiple myeloma);
-
chronic urination problems;
-
a history of blood clots;
-
a curved or deformed penis;
-
penile fibrosis or Peyronie's disease; or
-
if you have been told you should not have sexual
intercourse for health reasons.
Before using alprostadil, tell your doctor if you have:
-
a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder;
-
a disease that could be passed in blood (such as hepatitis or
HIV);
-
heart disease;
-
high blood pressure (hypertension); or
-
if you have a penile implant.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication.
Use a condom to prevent transfer of this medication to your sexual partner if she is
pregnant or could become pregnant.
Alprostadil should not be used by women or by anyone under 18 years old.
How should I take alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in
larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Using too much
alprostadil can be very dangerous.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these
directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
The injectable form of alprostadil is injected into the side of the penis. The transurethral
form is a very small suppository (pellet) that is inserted into the opening of the penis (the
urethra).
Your first dose of this medicine will be given in your doctor's office so you can be
observed for how well the medication works and if it causes any side effects. You will then be
shown how to properly give the medication to yourself.
Do not give yourself an alprostadil injection or pellet if you do not understand the
instructions for proper use. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help with injection
instructions. Using an alprostadil transurethral pellet improperly could cause damage to your
urethra.
Alprostadil is used only when needed to get an erection. An erection should occur within
5 to 20 minutes after you use the medication, and should last for 30 to 60 minutes. The length of
time your erection lasts may be slightly different from these averages.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your penis will need to be
examined on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled appointments.
Alprostadil injectable is a powder medicine that comes with a sterile liquid for mixing it.
Caverject Impulse is a brand of alprostadil injectable supplied as a needle and syringe that
contains both the powder medicine and the sterile liquid. The dose is automatically mixed when
you turn a dial on the end of the syringe. The Caverject Impulse syringe is designed for only one
use. Carefully follow the instructions provided with this product.
Do not mix alprostadil injectable or draw your dose into a syringe until you are ready
to give yourself an injection. Do not shake the mixed medication. After mixing, the medication
should be clear, without any particles in it.
Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof
container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this
container out of the reach of children and pets.
The Caverject Impulse device uses a very thin needle, which could break easily. If the
needle breaks during injection and you can see and grasp the broken end, remove it and contact
your doctor. If you cannot remove the broken end, call your doctor right away.
An alprostadil injection can cause bleeding where the needle is placed. This can make it
easier for your sexual partner to be exposed to your blood. Before using this medication, tell
your doctor if you have a virus such as hepatitis or HIV, which can be passed to another person
who comes into contact with your blood.
Do not use more than 2 alprostadil
pellets
in one day (24 hours).
Do not use more than 3 alprostadil
injections
per week. Allow at least 24
hours to pass between injections.
What happens if I miss a dose of alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Since alprostadil is used as needed, you will not be on a dosing schedule.
Where can I get more information about alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Your pharmacist has information about alprostadil (injectable and transurethral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using alprostadil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
bleeding from your urethra;
-
bleeding, bruising, or swelling where you injected the
medication;
-
a painful erection that lasts 4 hours or longer;
-
severe pain or irritation of your penis or urethra; or
-
redness, lumps, tenderness, unusual shape or curving of the
erect penis.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
pain in your penis, urethra, or testicles;
-
headache, dizziness;
-
back pain;
-
a rash on the skin of your penis;
-
warmth or numbness of your penis; or
-
cough, stuffy nose, cold symptoms.
Your sexual partner may also experience side effects such as burning,
itching, or irritation of the body areas that come into contact with your penis.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any
unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Alprostadil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and to help diagnose certain
causes of this disorder. Alprostadil is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with a
certain genetic heart condition.
This alprostadil medication guide addresses only the
adult male use of this medication in erectile disorders.
The injectable form of alprostadil is injected into the side of the penis. The transurethral
form is a very small suppository (pellet) that is inserted into the opening of the penis (the
urethra).
Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you.
Using too much
alprostadil can be very dangerous.
This medication comes with patient instructions
for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if
you have any questions.
Your first dose of this medicine will be given in your doctor's office so you can be
observed for how well the medication works and if it causes any side effects. You will then be
shown how to properly give the medication to yourself.
Do not give yourself an alprostadil injection or pellet if you do not understand the
instructions for proper use. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help with injection
instructions. Using an alprostadil transurethral pellet improperly could cause damage to your
urethra.
Alprostadil is used only when needed to get an erection. An erection should occur within
5 to 20 minutes after you use the medication, and should last for 30 to 60 minutes. The length of
time your erection lasts may be slightly different from these averages.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medication. Symptoms of an alprostadil overdose may include feeling light-headed, fainting, or
having a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 hours or longer.
What should I avoid while taking alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Alprostadil can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
Before using alprostadil, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
nitroglycerin;
-
hydralazine (BiDil); or
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin,
dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), or enoxaparin (Lovenox).
This list is not complete and here may be other drugs that can interact
with alprostadil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of alprostadil (injectable and transurethral)?
