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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Erectile response to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations.

PURPOSE: Transurethral alprostadil has been shown to be efficacious in many men with erectile dysfunction. We compared transurethral alprostadil and prazosin alone, and in combination to treat this disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo controlled study the erectile responses to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations were assessed in 234 men 26.8 to 81.5 years old with complete organic erectile dysfunction. Patients self-administered a random sequence of 7 doses in the clinic in 4 weeks. The erectile response was assessed using categorical and visual analog scales. RESULTS: Full penile enlargement or rigidity was achieved by 165 of the 234 men (70.5%) after at least 1 active dose of medication. The most effective alprostadil dose (500 microg.) resulted in full penile enlargement or rigidity in 51.8% of administrations, whereas the most effective prazosin dose (2,000 microg.) and placebo resulted in a similar response in 12.7 and 2.7%, respectively (p <0.001). The 500/2,000 microg. alprostadil/prazosin combination, which resulted in full enlargement or rigidity in 58.9% of doses, was only slightly better than the most effective dose of alprostadil alone (500 microg.). However, combinations of 125/500 and 250/500 microg. alprostadil/prazosin were more effective (p <0.01) than 125 and 250 microg. alprostadil given alone, respectively. The most common side effect of therapy was penile pain, which rarely led to study discontinuation. Hypotension most commonly developed at the higher alprostadil-prazosin combination. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral alprostadil and alprostadil-prazosin combinations produced erections in men with complete organic erectile dysfunction. This combination therapy may be an option in patients who do not respond to transurethral alprostadil alone.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1997

Transurethral alprostadil with MUSE (medicated urethral system for erection) vs intracavernous alprostadil--a comparative study in 103 patients with erectile dysfunction.

A comparative study in 103 unselected patients with erectile dysfunction between MUSE up to 1000 micrograms and intracavernous Alprostadil (Prostavasin) up to 20 micrograms provided total response-rates of 43% (MUSE) vs 70% (Prostavasin). Complete rigid erections were reached in 10% (MUSE) vs 48% (Prostavasin). The average end-diastolic flow values in the deep penile arteries ranged between 9.2-9.4 cm/s after MUSE and 4.5-4.8 cm/s after i.c. Alprostadil confirming the investigator's assessment, that in the vast majority of patients MUSE were not able to induce a complete cavernous smooth muscle relaxation. In terms of side effects the reported penile pain/ burning-rate after MUSE was 31.4% compared to 10.6% after i.c. Alprostadil. In addition after MUSE clinically relevant systemic side-effects like dizziness, sweating and hypotension occurred in 5.8% with syncope in 1%. No circulatory side-effects were encountered after i.c. Alprostadil. Urethral bleeding after MUSE-application was observed in 4.8%. Due to the superior efficacy and lower side-effects self-injection therapy with Alprostadil remains the 'Gold Standard' in the management of male impotence. MUSE should be reserved for a subset of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction.

Alprostadil↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of colour duplex ultrasonography after transurethral alprostadil and intracavernous alprostadil in the assessment of erectile dysfunction.

This study aimed to investigate whether transurethral alprostadil could be used for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction using colour duplex ultrasound. The ultrasonography results were compared after transurethral and intracavernous alprostadil administration in 20 patients with erectile dysfunction. There were no significant differences in the mean peak systolic velocities (PSVs) between the two routes of administration, but the mean end diastolic velocities (EDVs) showed significant differences, with patients treated with transurethral alprostadil having higher EDVs. Linear regression analysis of the PSVs reached following the two routes of administration showed a moderate relationship, but linear regression analysis of the EDVs showed no relationship. We concluded that transurethral alprostadil was an inappropriate vasoactive drug to use with colour duplex ultrasonography for the evaluation of patients with erectile dysfunction because it required a longer scan time and it was less effective and less reliable than intracavernous alprostadil at stimulating complete corporeal smooth muscle relaxation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Axial penile rigidity as primary efficacy outcome during multi-institutional in-office dose titration clinical trials with alprostadil alfadex in patients with erectile dysfunction. Alprostadil Alfadex Study Group.

The purpose of the study was to utilize axial penile buckling testing as a primary efficacy variable of erection quality during multi-institutional in-office dose titration testing with alprostadil alfadex, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-alpha-cyclodextrin, (EDEX /VIRIDAL, Schwarz Pharma) in patients with erectile dysfunction. In 41 study sites, in three different dose titration studies involving 894 patients with impotence >6 months, a buckling test was performed and repeated every 10 min for up to 60 min, within 30 min following alprostadil alfadex administration, or when two consecutive circumference measurements reached maximum values. The buckling device consisted of a standard weight scale attached to a 2 inch diameter plastic cap with a concavity on its ventral surface (H. Eric Richards, Inc., Canton MA). A positive test was associated with absent penile shaft buckling to a downward force of 1.0 kg, slowly applied to the glans in the axis of the erect shaft. A total of 630 (71%) patients experienced at least one positive buckling test. Three consecutive positive buckling tests, implying a functionally rigid erection for at least 20 min, were noted in 521 (58%) patients. There were high correlations between the presence of three consecutive positive buckling tests following alprostadil alfadex injection and the patient's (83% of cases) and the investigator's (88% of cases) evaluation of adequacy of erection for intercourse. Similarly, there were high correlations between the presence of negative buckling tests and the patient's (95% of cases) and the investigator's (96% of cases) evaluation of inadequacy of erection for intercourse. The axial penile buckling test offers a simple, reliable, and inexpensive method to objectively quantify erectile response following in-office dose titration of intracavernosal alprostadil alfadex. The high correlation to subjective patient/investigator assessment adds to the validity of the test.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Efficacy and safety of intracavernosal alprostadil in men with erectile dysfunction. The Alprostadil Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction is a common medical problem affecting many men. Although several intracavernosal therapies are available, their efficacy and safety have not been studied systematically. METHODS: We investigated the efficacy and safety of alprostadil formulated for intracavernosal treatment in three separate multi-institutional, prospective studies in men with erectile dysfunction of vasculogenic, neurogenic, psychogenic, and mixed causes. Clinical and laboratory evaluations of erection and the feasibility of satisfactoriness of sexual activity as assessed both by the men and by their partners were the primary measures of efficacy. RESULTS: In a dose-response study of 296 men, all doses of alprostadil were superior to placebo and there was a significant dose-response relation (P < / = 0.001), resulting in higher response rates with increasing doses of alprostadil (from 2.5 to 20 microg). In a dose-finding study of 201 men, the minimal effective dose was < / = 2 microg in 23, 20, 38 and 23 percent of men with erectile dysfunction of neurogenic, vasculogenic, psychogenic, or mixed causes, respectively. In a six-month self-injection study in 683 men, the participants reported being able to have sexual activity after 94 percent of the injections. The men and their partners rated the sexual activity as satisfactory after 87 and 86 percent of the injections, respectively. Penile pain, usually mild, occurred in 50 percent of the men at some time but after only 11 percent of the injections. Prolonged erections occurred in 5 percent of the men, priapism in 1 percent, penile fibrotic complications in 2 percent, and hematoma or ecchymosis in 8 percent. CONCLUSIONS: In men with erectile dysfunction, intracavernosal injection of alprostadil is an effective therapy with tolerable side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Intracavernous alprostadil alfadex is more efficacious, better tolerated, and preferred over intraurethral alprostadil plus optional actis: a comparative, randomized, crossover, multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, safety, and patient preference of intracavernously administered alprostadil alfadex and intraurethrally administered alprostadil. METHODS: A crossover, randomized, open-label multicenter study of 111 patients with erectile dysfunction of at least 6 months' duration compared the efficacy, safety, and patient preference of intracavernosal alprostadil (EDEX/Viridal) with MUSE plus optional ACTIS. All patients underwent an in-office dose titration with either drug before undertaking an at-home treatment phase. The most frequently used doses during the at-home phase were 40 microg (44.1% of men) and 1000 microg (86.8% of men) for EDEX and MUSE, respectively; the mean doses were 26.1 microg and 922.5 microg for EDEX and MUSE, respectively. RESULTS: More EDEX than MUSE administrations resulted in an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse (82.5% versus 53.0%); significantly more patients using EDEX achieved at least one erection sufficient for sexual intercourse (92.6% versus 61.8%; P <0.0001); and EDEX use resulted in a significantly greater percentage of patients attaining at least 75% of erections sufficient for sexual intercourse (75% versus 36.8%; P <0.0001). Penile pain was the most common side effect for both medications: 20.0% versus 30.5% (in-office) and 33.8% versus 25.0% (at-home) for EDEX and MUSE, respectively. Similar numbers of adverse events were reported with either treatment during the at-home phase. Patient and partner satisfaction was greater with EDEX, and more patients preferred this therapy, choosing to continue it during a patient preference period at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Since intracavernous injection therapy was more efficacious, better tolerated, and preferred by the patients and their partners, it should be offered as the first-choice treatment if oral therapy fails or is contraindicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Erection disorders: efficacy and tolerability after 6 months of intracavernous self-injections of alprostadil. Groupe Français d'Etude de l'Alprostadil].

OBJECTIVES: Self-administered intracavernous injections, notably with alprostadil are currently the most widely used non-psychotherapeutical treatment of erectile dysfunction. We assessed the effectiveness of this treatment after 6 months of self-injections. METHODS: Efficacy, acceptability and tolerance to alprostadil self-administered via intracavernous injections for 6 months was evaluated in 144 men, age 24 to 72 years, and followed monthly after an initial training period and search for the optimal dose. RESULTS: The mean number of self-injections was 5.5 at a mean dose of 18.6 micrograms per injection. From the first to sixth month, the frequency of complete erections after self-injection rose from 62% to 77% and failures declined from 8% to 3%. After six months, 40% of the patients had abandoned the treatment including 9% who abandoned during the first month, usually due to poor acceptance and because of cure in two patients (4.5%). Patients reported sexual intercourse after self-injections as satisfactory in 81% of the cases; 66% of their partners reported satisfactory intercourse. Tolerance assessment revealed pain in 14% of the patients and decreasing effect with time in two patients who discontinued self-injections for this reason. Other undesirable side effects were infrequent, usually related to technical injection errors and decreasing effect with time. One case of priapism and two indurations of the cavernous bodies were also observed. CONCLUSION: Self-administration of intracavernous alprostadil can lead to rigid erection in patients with erectile dysfunction. Patients are generally well satisfied and tolerance is good.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The long-term safety of alprostadil (prostaglandin-E1) in patients with erectile dysfunction. The European Alprostadil Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of intracavernosal alprostadil (prostaglandin E1, PGE1) in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and assess the feasibility of self-injection treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 848 men (aged 18-75 years) with ED of > or =4 months' duration. The initial home-use dose of alprostadil, defined as a dose producing an erection satisfactory for intercourse and lasting for > or =20 min, was determined for each patient in the investigator's clinic and in the patient's home. This dose-finding phase was followed by a 6-month, self-injection, home-maintenance phase. The efficacy and adverse effects were documented. RESULTS: An initial home-use dose was determined for 93% of the patients and in most (86%) it was < or = 20 microg. During the 6-month study period, 88% of injections assessed by the patients resulted in satisfactory sexual activity (intercourse or masturbation) and 90% of injections assessed by partners resulted in satisfactory intercourse. Penile pain occurred in 44% of patients, but this incidence decreased with time. In 52% of patients with pain it was mild and only 3% of patients discontinued the study because of pain. Prolonged erection and priapism occurred in 8% and 0.9% of patients, respectively. Penile fibrosis occurred in 4% of patients. Drug-related systemic medical events occurred in 5% of patients and none of these were serious. Haemodynamic events occurred in <1% of patients and were not considered to be clinically relevant. CONCLUSION: Intracavernosal alprostadil is an effective and safe therapy for ED, provided that the individual dose is established by titration, patients are trained in the self-injection technique and supervised periodically.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Hemodynamic effects of transurethral alprostadil measured by color duplex ultrasonography in men with erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the hemodynamic effects of transurethral alprostadil in 21 patients with erectile dysfunction using color duplex ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Penile arterial diameter, peak flow velocity and end diastolic velocity were compared following intraurethral administration of 500 microg. alprostadil and intracavernosal injection of 10 microg. alprostadil. RESULTS: A dose of 500 microg. transurethral alprostadil resulted in significant increases in corporeal blood flow comparable to those achieved with intracavernosal injection of 10 microg. alprostadil as measured by duplex ultrasonography in men with erectile dysfunction. Transurethral alprostadil resulted in statistically significant increases in arterial diameter and peak flow velocity comparable to those achieved with intracavernosal injection. End diastolic velocities were higher after transurethral alprostadil than intracavernosal injections. Color ultrasonography following transurethral alprostadil showed arterial and venous hyperemia of the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa. Furthermore, color ultrasonography revealed communicating vessels between the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa following administration of transurethral alprostadil. CONCLUSIONS: The visualization of communicating vessels between the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa after transurethral alprostadil suggests local mechanisms of drug transfer from one to the other. In addition to potential clinical benefits, transurethral alprostadil may be useful to visualize the vascular anatomy of the penis and to test for patient responsiveness to local vasoactive agents.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Double-blind multicenter study comparing alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin with moxisylyte chlorhydrate in patients with chronic erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: We compared the efficacy and safety of alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin and moxisylyte chlorhydrate to induce erections adequate for sexual intercourse in a prospective, randomized, parallel double-blind study in patients with erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 156 men with erectile dysfunction due to organic, nonorganic and mixed origin was randomized into 2 parallel treatment groups receiving titrations of an individual optimum dose of alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin or moxisylyte chlorhydrate. Erectile response was measured by the buckling test. A positive test was associated with axial erection rigidity that did not buckle/deform to 1.0 kg. load. The buckling test was repeated every 10 minutes for up to 60 minutes. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients (75%) in the alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin group and 32 patients (40%) in the moxisylyte chlorhydrate group responded with at least 1 positive buckling test during the office period. Investigators assessed erections after alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin to be adequate for sexual intercourse in 61 patients (81%) compared to 37 patients (46%) after moxisylyte chlorhydrate. All efficacy parameters in office reached statistical significance of p < 0.001 in favor of alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin. During self-injection therapy at home 58 patients (85%) reported at least 1 rigid erection after alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin compared to 37 patients (61%) after moxisylyte chlorhydrate. Patient and partner opinion of treatment achieved statistically significantly better scores in the alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin group compared to the moxisylyte chlorhydrate group. CONCLUSIONS: Alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin is significantly more effective than moxisylyte chlorhydrate in producing full penile rigidity in office and at home. Injection related side effects occur with the same frequency but moxisylyte results in more systemic side effects and alprostadil results in more painful and prolonged erections. Patients and partners are significantly more satisfied with alprostadil alpha-cyclodextrin.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1998

Transurethral alprostadil as therapy for patients who withdrew from or failed prior intracavernous injection therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Patients experiencing erectile dysfunction who fail intracavernous injection (ICI) therapy are commonly believed to have exhausted pharmacologic options. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of transurethral alprostadil (MUSE) in patients experiencing erectile dysfunction who underwent prior ICI therapy (alprostadil, papaverine, phentolamine, or a combination of these). METHODS: Of the 1511 patients enrolled in a multicenter trial of transurethral alprostadil, 452 (30%) reported prior ICI therapy and its effects. These patients tested up to four dose levels of transurethral alprostadil in the clinic, and those who achieved an erection satisfactory for intercourse were treated at home in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. RESULTS: Prior ICI therapy was reported to be "not effective" by 95 of 452 patients (21%), "sometimes effective" by 119 of 452 (26%), and "effective" by 238 of 452 (53%). In patients reporting ICI therapy as "not effective," 58% achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy in the clinic; 47% of these responsive patients reported successful sexual intercourse after transurethral alprostadil therapy during home treatment. For patients reporting ICI therapy as "sometimes effective" or "effective," 68% achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy in the clinic setting and 67% of these responsive patients reported successful intercourse following transurethral alprostadil therapy at home. Few adverse effects were encountered. The most common adverse effect was penile pain, which occurred with 7.8% of administrations. CONCLUSIONS: Transurethral alprostadil therapy is an effective therapeutic option for patients with erectile dysfunction and may even "rescue" some patients who have failed prior intracavernous injection therapy.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Treatment of men with erectile dysfunction with transurethral alprostadil. Medicated Urethral System for Erection (MUSE) Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction in men is common. We evaluated a system by which alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) is delivered transurethrally to treat this disorder. METHODS: Alprostadil was delivered transurethrally in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 1511 men, 27 to 88 years of age, who had chronic erectile dysfunction from various organic causes. The men were first tested in the clinic with up to four doses of the drug (125, 250, 500, and 1000 microg); those who had sufficient responses were randomly assigned to treatment with either the effective dose of alprostadil or placebo for three months at home. RESULTS: During in-clinic testing, 996 men (65.9 percent) had erections sufficient for intercourse. Of these men, 961 reported the results of at least one home treatment; 299 of the 461 treated with alprostadil (64.9 percent) had intercourse successfully at least once, as compared with 93 of the 500 who received placebo (18.6 percent, P<0.001). On average, 7 of 10 alprostadil administrations were followed by intercourse in men responsive to treatment. The efficacy of alprostadil was similar regardless of age or the cause of erectile dysfunction, including vascular disease, diabetes, surgery, and trauma (P<0.001 for all comparisons with placebo). The most common side effect was mild penile pain, which occurred after 10.8 percent of alprostadil treatments, but the pain rarely resulted in refusal to continue in the study. Hypotension occurred in the clinic in 3.3 percent of men receiving alprostadil. Hypotension-related symptoms were uncommon at home. No men had priapism or penile fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In men with erectile dysfunction, transurethral alprostadil therapy resulted in erections in the clinic and in intercourse at home.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison between iloprost and alprostadil in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE: The prostanoids iloprost and alprostadil are widely used to treat ischaemic changes in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), but the optimal regimen is poorly defined. We evaluated whether there are differences between iloprost and alprostadil, in terms of either clinical efficacy or of laboratory data, with the aim of assisting in the treatment of connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated RP. METHODS: Twenty-one women with CTD-associated RP were given intravenous iloprost (11 patients) or alprostadil (10 patients) cyclically (5 consecutive days, followed by 1 day every 30 days). Clinical efficacy (RP symptoms, skin score, digital ulcers) and circulating levels of von Willebrand factor (VWf), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), thrombomodulin (TM) and Type III procollagen N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunoassay at different intervals. RESULTS: The overall benefits of iloprost and alprostadil were similar. RP improved in 45% versus 90% of patients; ulcers in 60% versus 40% of patients (iloprost versus alprostadil). Skin score did not significantly change with either drug. Circulating VWf decreased with either drug (iloprost -6.2%, alprostadil -9.4%), while tPA, TM, and PIIINP remained unchanged. Side effects were only minor and less frequent with alprostadil. CONCLUSION: Iloprost and alprostadil were both of benefit in CTD-associated RP, without significant differences in either clinical efficacy or circulating markers. However, ease of handling and the lower price favours alprostadil.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Intravenous alprostadil, an analog of prostaglandin E1, prevents thiamylal-fentanyl-induced bronchoconstriction in humans.

UNLABELLED: Prostaglandin (PG) E(1) relaxes airway smooth muscle in animals. However, no clinical data have been published on the bronchorelaxant effects of IV alprostadil, an analog of PGE(1). We have described experimental thiamylal-fentanyl-induced bronchoconstriction in humans; we now report the effect of IV alprostadil on thiamylal-fentanyl-induced bronchoconstriction. Thirty-two patients were allocated randomly to a control group (n = 16) and alprostadil group (n = 16). Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal 5 mg/kg and vecuronium 0.3 mg/kg and maintained with a continuous infusion of thiamylal 15 mg. kg(-1). h(-1). The lungs of the patients were ventilated with 50% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Twenty minutes after the induction of anesthesia, patients in the control group were given a continuous infusion of normal saline 20 mL/h, and those in the alprostadil group received a continuous infusion of alprostadil 0.2 micro g. kg(-1). min(-1) (20 mL/h), both for 60 min. Both groups were then given fentanyl 5 micro g/kg. Systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, mean airway resistance (Rawm), expiratory airway resistance (Rawe), and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were measured at the baseline, just before the fentanyl injection (T30), at three consecutive 6-min intervals after fentanyl injection (T36, T42, and T48), and 30 min after fentanyl injection (T60). Baseline Rawm, Rawe, and Cdyn values were comparable between groups. In the control group, both Rawm and Rawe were significantly increased at T36-60, and Cdyn was significantly decreased at T36-60 compared with the baseline. Patients given alprostadil showed no change in Rawm, Rawe, or Cdyn at T36-60. Thus, IV alprostadil seems to have a bronchodilator effect in humans. IMPLICATIONS: IV alprostadil, an analog of prostaglandin E(1), prevents thiamylal-fentanyl-induced bronchoconstriction in humans. This finding suggests that IV alprostadil has a bronchodilator effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Topical alprostadil treatment of female sexual arousal disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of topical alprostadil in the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). DATA SOURCES: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966-May 2006), EMBASE, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts with the search terms alprostadil, female, and sexual dysfunction/drug therapy. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All published and unpublished clinical trials and abstracts involving the efficacy and safety of topical alprostadil use in women were reviewed. Data on file with the manufacturer were also included. DATA SYNTHESIS: Topical alprostadil is a vasodilatory agent under development for the treatment of FSAD. In-clinic application of alprostadil increases genital vasocongestion, vaginal erythema, transudates, and some patient-assessed indices of sexual arousal; however, these effects have not been consistently superior to placebo. Three of 4 trials investigating at-home use of topical alprostadil have demonstrated improvements in achievement of satisfactory levels of sexual arousal and successful sexual encounters in patients with FSAD. Adverse events appear to be mild and localized and consist of burning and itching at the application site. CONCLUSIONS: Two formulations of topical alprostadil are in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of FSAD. Initial results of clinical trials have demonstrated some beneficial effects on arousal success rates and other subjective measures of sexual arousal; however, these results have been inconsistent and not reproducible in all trials. The results of ongoing clinical studies are needed to further define the role of topical alprostadil in the treatment of FSAD.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Intracavernous alprostadil. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic potential in erectile dysfunction.

Intracavernous alprostadil (synthetic prostaglandin E1) is a vasodilating agent which acts by relaxing the smooth muscles of the corpus cavernosum and by increasing the diameter of cavernous arteries; this leads to erection. Following intracavernous administration, alprostadil is either locally metabolised or rapidly cleared from the penis into the systemic circulation where it is extensively metabolised by the lungs. Studies suggest that long term use of intracavernous alprostadil may increase penile blood flow, although the clinical relevance of this is not currently known. In men with erectile dysfunction (ED), short term trials have shown that intracavernous alprostadil is superior or equal, in inducing erections, to other intracavernous agents such as papaverine, the combination of papaverine plus phentolamine, linsidomine and topical nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate). Intracavernous alprostadil induced erections in around 70% of patients with ED of various origins in short term studies. 49 to 84% of patients accept the offer of joining self-injection programmes and 13 to 60% of these patients withdraw from such programmes for a variety of reasons. At therapeutic doses, intracavernous alprostadil is well tolerated. The most common adverse event of transient penile pain occurred in around one-third of patients and in 11% of injections, causing 3 to 5% of patients to withdraw from self-injection programmes. Potentially serious adverse events such as priapism and fibrosis occurred in 4 and 8% of patients. Overall, available data suggest that the efficacy of intracavernous alprostadil is superior or equal to that of other erectogenic agents which are in use. Furthermore, the drug is well tolerated especially with regard to serious adverse events. Thus, although further research is necessary to confirm its use in combination with other agents, alprostadil appears likely to become the intracavernous agent of choice for the management of erectile dysfunction.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed2000

Intraurethral application of alprostadil in patients with failed inflatable penile prosthesis.

PURPOSE: Many men who underwent penile prosthesis implantation before the advent of oral and injection therapy present for replacement of a malfunctioning prosthesis but choose not to undergo revision surgery because of personal, medical or reimbursement issues. Others with normally functioning prostheses report significant difficulties with "cold glans," and they and their partners observe decreased engorgement and temperature of the glans penis with the inflated penile prosthesis, despite adequate stimulation. Intracorporal injection therapy is contraindicated in any patient with a penile prosthesis and use of a vacuum erection device may result in prosthesis cylinder rupture. In these patients intraurethral application of alprostadil may restore prosthesis function and permit satisfactory intercourse. We evaluate the efficacy of a medicated urethral system for erection (MUSE) using alprostadil to restore function for men with a failed prosthesis, and improve glans penis temperature sensation and engorgement for those with a functioning prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1997 to February 1998, 28 men 47 to 81 years old (mean age 61.2) with a penile prosthesis were treated with alprostadil. Of the patients 11 had penile prosthesis failure (group 1) and 17 reported decreased glans penis engorgement (group 2). In 18 cases erections were observed at the clinic. Doses of alprostadil varied from 250 to 1,000 microgm. (mean 566). RESULTS: Of the 28 patients 23 had a response to alprostadil. Erections were sufficient for intercourse in 7 of 11 group 1 patients, and 10 of 17 group 2 were satisfied with treatment. There was no device specific morbidity but 12 men discontinued use of alprostadil because of penile pain. A significant or excellent response was noted in 10 of 18 men observed at the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Intraurethral alprostadil may be used to restore or improve function of a penile prosthesis in patients with a malfunctioning device or lack of glans penis engorgement, with low expected morbidity.

Aged↗