Alprostadil medication for erectile
function, cream
August 20 2017
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Alprostadil is a hormone like substance that is referred to as prostaglandin E1, a potent vasodilator. Alprostadil is a drug that was marketed for impotence years before Viagra became available. However, alprostadil (product name Muse) did not become very popular since it had to be injected in the penis. A natural option for erection improvement is Passion Rx, an herbal aphrodisiac product that works within 2 to 3 days.
Alprostadil topical cream for erectile dysfunction
Alprostadil cream is generic for Befar or Alprox or Topiglan. It is the
first topical cream in the world for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Onset
of action is in 15 minutes and can last several hours,
and is nearly as effective as the injectable. Alprostadil topical cream is formulated with enhanced skin-penetrating
properties and is applied onto the penis.
Injections of alprostadil directly into the penis have been used to treat
erectile dysfunction, but administration can be painful.
Alprostadil cream may slightly improve erectile dysfunction
and is generally well tolerated, with the most frequently reported side effect
being burning or redness at the site of application.
Two large studies of the cream called Alprox-TD (NexMed) show that alprostadil cream produces
a "small but statistically significant improvement" in erectile function in many
patients with mild-to-severe dysfunction.
Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan of the University of Southern California, Beverly Hills
and Dr. James Yeager of Lake Forest, Illinois report two studies with than 1700 men with erectile dysfunction.
The men were
randomized to alprostadil cream, in dosages ranging from 100 to 300 micrograms,
or to placebo cream.
Erectile function scores rose by a mean of 1.6 to 2.5 points over baseline in
the alprostadil groups and fell by 0.7 points in placebo patients. In addition,
scores for vaginal penetration and maintenance of erection until ejaculation
improved slightly. Overall improvements were modest, the researchers note that 52 percent
of patients who used the 300-microgram alprostadil cream reported improved
erections versus 20 percent of placebo patients. The study population
included men with diabetes, men who had had their prostates removed, and men
taking nitrates or alpha-blockers as well as men who had failed Viagra. Their
mean age was 60 years. Urology, 2006.
Expert Opin Pharmacotherapy. 2014. Alprostadil for the treatment of impotence. Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects over 150 million men worldwide. Oral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors are currently used as a first-line therapy and a second-line therapy with either intracavernosal (Caverject) or intraurethral (MUSE) alprostadil is required for a few men who show poor response or intolerance to PDE5 inhibitors. This article reviews the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, medical applications, efficacy and safety of alprostadil in the treatment of men with ED. The goal of this article is to review the currently published clinical data of alprostadil to establish its potential role in managing men, in particular, those who fail to respond to traditional PDE5 inhibitors. Relevant articles and abstracts were reviewed from PUBMED and conference proceedings. Alprostadil, a synthetic form of prostaglandin E1, is used as second-line therapy in managing men with ED. It has a unique role in men with ED secondary to diabetes and ED secondary to radical pelvic surgery (e.g., radical prostatectomy). In view of these new indications, the role of alprostadil is being redefined. Both intracavernosal and intraurethral alprostadil are approved for use in all countries, and following positive results from recent Phase III trials, topical alprostadil has gained approval in Canada.
Side effects, safety
Pain is the most common side effect from ingestion, and priapism is of concern,
so is scarring.
See libido for suggestions on herbs that have an influence on impotence and sexual health.
Is it possible to buy alprostadil cream online without
a prescription? What about
alprostadil caverject injection?
This medication is available by prescription from a medical doctor
although a person may
buy alprostadil from unauthorized pharmaceutical drug selling web sites.
Availability
Q. I enjoy your articles and your web site. I have been reading about Topiglan
cream lately and it sounds like a good alternative to the little blue pill. Do
you know if it’s been approved for use in the US? I visited my primary care
physician several weeks ago but did not ask her about it. Hoping you might know
if it’s been approved here in the states.
A. As of November 2017, I am not aware of it being available to the
public, but I am not fully up to date on this drug.