Alprostadil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Use

What is Alprostadil for?

Alprostadil is a drug to treat erectile dysfunction in men, otherwise known as impotence. This drug works by helping blood flow to the penis to achieve and maintain an erection. Usually this drug starts to work 5-20 minutes after injection up to 60 minutes. Use this remedy if needed.

Not only to treat impotence, this drug may also be given to other health conditions. So, be sure to consult a doctor. You cannot buy this drug at the pharmacy because this drug is included in prescription drugs.

How do I use Alprostadil?

This medication is available as a liquid injection or suppository. '

If you are using an injection, there are several things you should pay attention to as follows:

You can use it yourself at home, but first you have to pay attention to how to use it taught by the doctor.
Wash hands with soap and running water before using this medication.
When injecting this medicine, make sure your hands do not shake as this can affect the entry of the drug into your body.
Use a new syringe every time you use it.
Do not use a bent syringe and do not try to straighten it.
After the dose is given, apply light pressure to the area injected to avoid injury or bruising. Do this for five minutes until the bleeding stops.
Dispose of used syringes according to the correct needle disposal guidelines. If you don't know, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use this medication if the injection fluid appears to leak, or has small particles in it. Also do not use this liquid if the color changes.
Do not use the same side of the penis when giving the injection for different doses.

Meanwhile, if you are using suppositories, the things you should pay attention to are:

Wash hands before using this medication
Follow all instructions given by your doctor when teaching you how to use this medicine
This drug must be used on the urethra
This medication works best if you urinate first before using it

How do I store Alprostadil?

Store the drug at room temperature away from exposure to light and moisture. Don't store it in the bathroom and don't freeze it either. Medicines under different brands may have different storage methods.

Check the product box for instructions on how to store it. If you have any doubts, contact your doctor or pharmacist to find out how to store a good medicine. Stay away from children and pets.

It is forbidden to flush the medicine in the toilet or throw it down the drain if not instructed to. Properly discard this product if it is past the deadline or is no longer needed. Consult a pharmacist for more in-depth details on how to safely dispose of the product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Alprostadil for adults?

Dosage for intracavernous erectile dysfunction

1 to 40 micrograms (mcg) injected into the side of the penis given from 5 to 10 seconds. The maximum dose is three times a week, at least more than 24 hours apart from each use.

The starting dose is 2.5 mcg, injected into the side of the penis. If there is a slight response from the initial dose, the dose can be increased to 5 mcg, then to 5-10 mcg per dose until production of an erection suitable for sexual intercourse, for a maximum of one hour, can be achieved.

So, increasing the dose that applies still depends on the erectile response that occurs. If there is no response from the initial dose, the dose can be increased to 7.5 mcg, until the dose becomes 5-10 mcg.

During the 24 hour period of the initial titration, the dose should not be more than twice.

Dosage for erectile dysfunction transurethral suppositories

An initial dose of 125 or 250 mcg is administered via the urethra. The maximum dose given is two times within 24 hours.

What is the dosage of Alprostadil for children?

Usual children's dose for patent ductus arteriosus (congenital heart defect)

Initial dose: 0.05 to 0.1 mcg / kg / minute by continuous IV infusion
Maintenance dose: 0.01 to 0.4 mcg / kg / minute continuous IV infusion

In what dosage is Alprostadil available?

Injection, intravascular: 500 µg in 1 milliliter

Suppositories, penile: 125 mcg, 250 mcg, 500 mcg, and 1000 mcg

Side effects

What side effects can I experience due to Alprostadil?

Get medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction: hives difficulty breathing swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using alprostadil and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects such as:

Feeling dizzy, about to pass out
Difficulty urinating, blood in the urine
Bleeding, bruising, or swelling at the injection site
Painful erection that lasts 4 hours or more
Excruciating pain or irritation in the penis or urethra or
An erect penis is abnormally red, lumpy, tender, shaped or curved

Milder side effects may include:

Abnormal discharge or the penis
Mild pain in the penis, urethra, or testicles
Headache, dizziness
Back pain
Rash on the skin of the penis
Itchy, warm, or numb penis
Cough, stuffy nose, cold and flu symptoms.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using Alprostadil?

Tell your doctor:

If you have an allergy to alprostadil or any other part of alprostadil injection.
If you are allergic to similar drugs, or other foods and objects, tell your doctor about any allergies you have and what symptoms you experience when allergies.
If you have been told beforehand that you are not fit for sexual intercourse
If you have various types of penis problems such as a defective penis or penile implants.
If you have a health condition such as Polysithemia or Thrombocythemia.
If you have health problems such as Leukemia, Anemia, Myeloma, and other health problems that can increase a painful erection or an erection that lasts more than four hours. If you are not sure, you can ask your doctor.
If you are taking alprostadil pellets, tell your doctor if you have experienced narrowing, injury, or swelling of the penile urethral opening or the tip of the penis. Your doctor may stop you from using alprostadil granules.
If you (have) had a bleeding disorder, a history of fainting or kidney, liver, or lung disease.
If a partner is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not use alprostadil granules before sexual activity with pregnant women or women who may become pregnant without using a condom.
You should know that alprostadil might cause dizziness and loss of consciousness. Do not drive a car or run machinery after using alprostadil until you know the effects of this drug.
Talk to your doctor about alcohol consumption during treatment with alprostadil. Alcohol might reduce the effectiveness of this drug.
You should know that light bleeding may occur in the area where the medication is administered. This may increase the risk of blood-borne diseases (conditions spread through contaminated blood) such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C between you and your partner. Tell your doctor if you or your partner suffer from this disease.

Is Alprostadil safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = No risk in several studies

C = Maybe risky

D = There is positive evidence of risk

X = Contraindicated

N = Unknown

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with Alprostadil?

Drug interactions may change how medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. This article does not cover all possible drug interactions.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change your dose without your doctor's approval.

Alprostadil can interact with several types of drugs, including:

AndroGel (testosterone)
Low Strength Aspirin (aspirin)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Cialis (tadalafil)
Crestor (rosuvastatin)
Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
heparin (Heparin Sodium)
Lasix (furosemide)
Lyrica (pregabalin)
Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol)
Metoprolol Tartrate (metoprolol)
Nexium (esomeprazole)
NovoLog FlexPen (insulin aspart)
papaverine (Pavabid Plateau, Papacon, Pavagen, Pavacot, Para-Time S. R., Pavagen TD)
Plavix (clopidogrel)
Synthroid (levothyroxine)
Viagra (sildenafil)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
Zoloft (sertraline)

Can food or alcohol interact with Alprostadil?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with a healthcare professional about using drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with Alprostadil?

The presence of other medical disorders may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Abnormal penis, including penile curvature and congenital abnormalities of the penis — the chances of developing the disorder may increase
Bleeding problems — the chance of bleeding at the injection site may increase
Penile infection or
Reddening of the penis or itching (inflammation) —condition may worsen with the use of alprostadil suppositories. In addition, local skin irritation and light bleeding from inserting suppositories is possible
Conditions that cause blood thickening or slower blood flow, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma (bone marrow tumor) polycythemia, sickle cell disease, or thrombocythemia (blood disease) or
Priapism (history) - patients with this condition are more likely to develop priapism (erections lasting more than 6 hours) when using alprostadil.