Injection
To treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men; also, to help maintain adequate blood flow in infants during heart surgery.
Alprostadil causes dilation of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to the tissues supplied by the vessels affected by the drug. When injected into the penis, alprostadil causes the penile arteries to dilate, thus promoting erection.
For adult men: Injection of 0.001 to 0.04 mg, self-administered at the base of the penis as needed. It should not be administered more than once a day. For infants: Injection of 0.005 to 0.01 mg before surgery.
Five to 10 minutes.
30 minutes to three hours.
Diet is not significant in alprostadil therapy.
Keep the liquid form of alprostadil refrigerated, but do not allow it to freeze.
Not applicable; the drug is taken only when the patient chooses.
Consult your doctor if you wish to discontinue therapy or if you feel alprostadil is losing its effectiveness.
Alprostadil should not be used more frequently than a physician recommends, which is generally not more than three times a week, with at least 24 hours between each dose. Patients who self-administer alprostadil should visit their doctor every three months for evaluation; dosage adjustments or the decision to stop using the drug will be made at these times. Never increase the dosage without consulting your doctor.
Information about use specifically in older persons is not available, though elderly patients are more likely to suffer from circulatory problems and thus may be less responsive to the drug than their younger counterparts. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage.
No special precautions are necessary.
No special precautions are necessary.
Not applicable; the drug is used only in men and infants. No problems have been reported in women who became pregnant by partners using alprostadil.
Not applicable; the drug is used only by men or in infants.
Prostin VR Pediatric should be used for infants only in a hospital setting.
Your doctor should instruct you on how to administer the injection of alprostadil before you attempt to do it yourself. Only men who have been diagnosed with and are being medically treated for erectile dysfunction should use this drug as a sexual aid.
Painful erection or erection that persists for more than four hours.
Call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS), or your local hospital right away. Prolonged erection may result in permanent damage to the tissues of the penis and the inability to achieve subsequent erections.
None reported in infants. Adults should notify their doctor if they are taking any other drugs.
No significant interactions have been reported.
An adult who has a blood coagulation defect, liver disease, sickle cell disease, or a history of priapism (erections lasting more than four hours) should inform his physician before using alprostadil.
