Alprostadil Medication Information

Learn everything you need to know about Alprostadil-pronunciation, uses, dosage guidelines, indications, and when to take or avoid it.

Get up-to-date information on side effects, precautions, warnings, and proper storage to ensure safe usage.

Explore Alprostadil brand names commonly used in India and internationally, along with detailed pricing information. Consult your healthcare provider for tailored medical advice.

Generic Name : Alprostadil

Pronunciation : al-PROS-ta-dil

ICD Code : Y51.1 Therapeutic Classification : Cholinergic Agents

Brand Names or Trade Names of Alprostadil

India :

Prostin VR 1 | Prostin VR | Alpostin

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International :

Caverject, Edex, Muse

Why is Alprostadil Prescribed? (Indications)

This medication is a vasodilator, prescribed for erectile dysfunction (impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. It is also used to improve blood flow in newborn babies with a certain genetic heart condition and who depend on patent ductus arteriosus for survival.
This injection is also sometimes used in combination with other tests to diagnose erectile dysfunction. It relaxes the muscles and blood vessels in the penis to keep enough blood in the penis so that an erection can occur.

When should Alprostadil not be taken? (Contraindications)

Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity,and hyaline membrane disease.

What is the dosage of Alprostadil?

IV- The recommended starting dose is 0.1 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per minute.

How should Alprostadil be taken?

It comes as a powder to be mixed with the liquid provided in the package and injected into the penis and as a urethral suppository (pellet to be placed into the urinary opening of the penis), and newborns injection administered into the vein.

What are the warnings and precautions for Alprostadil?

• Treatment should be given for patients who experience prolonged and painful erection that lasts for more than 4 hours.

• This drug does not prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Patients are advised to use barrier contraceptives to protect themselves or their partners from sexually transmitted diseases.

• If your partner experiences vaginal dryness or painful vaginal sensations, talk with your doctor.

• It may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Do not drive a car or operate machinery after using this medication until you know how this medication affects you.

• Regular check up needed while taking this medication.

• Caution needed in case of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

• Neonates receiving PGE1 for more than 120 hours should be closely monitored for gastric outlet obstruction.

What are the side effects of Alprostadil?

Heart- Flushing, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest, edema. Other rare, but serious, cardiovascular effects include heart failure, second-degree heart block, shock, uncoordinated contraction of the cardiac muscle.
Central Nervous System- Fever, seizures, cerebral bleeding.
Gastrointestinal- Diarrhea.
Genitourinary- Urethral pain, urethral burning, urethral bleeding/spotting, testicular pain, penile pain, prolonged erection, penile fibrosis, injection-site blood clot, penis disorder.
Blood- Pathological activation of blood clotting, bleeding.
Respiratory- Breathing during sleep
Miscellaneous- Cortical proliferation of long bones; sepsis; back pain; pain; pelvic pain; accidental injury.