Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric

Generic Name: alprostadil (injectable and transurethral) (Pronunciation: al PROS ta dil)

• What is alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What are the possible side effects of alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What is the most important information I should know about alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• How should I use alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What happens if I overdose (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What should I avoid while using alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• What other drugs will affect alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?

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 are the possible side effects of alprostadil (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?

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 (Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Muse, Prostin VR Pediatric)?

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.