Prostaver 500 mcg Injection (Alprostadil)

What is Alprostadil Injection?

Alprostadil Injection is a medicine used to help adult men who have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. The active ingredient, alprostadil, is a synthetic form of prostaglandin E1, a substance that helps relax blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

It belongs to a group of medicines called vasodilators. Unlike tablets such as sildenafil or tadalafil, alprostadil works directly on the erectile tissue of the penis.

Alprostadil is available under brand names such as Caverject and Edex. The product may be supplied as a powder that needs to be mixed with a provided liquid before injection. Its strength and preparation instructions depend on the brand.

Doctors may recommend this treatment when oral ED medicines are unsuitable or have not provided satisfactory results. However, it is not suitable for everyone.

Alprostadil Injection requires a prescription, an initial medical assessment and proper injection training before home treatment begins.

What is Alprostadil Injection used for?

Alprostadil Injection is primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction, a condition in which a man has repeated difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sexual activity.

Its medical uses include:

• Erectile dysfunction: Helps produce an erection by improving blood flow within the penis.
• ED diagnostic testing: May be used by healthcare professionals during certain examinations to assess erectile function.

It may help men whose erection problems are associated with blood vessel conditions, nerve-related problems or a combination of physical and psychological factors.

Alprostadil does not permanently cure erectile dysfunction, increase sexual desire or protect against sexually transmitted infections.

How does Alprostadil Injection work?

An erection occurs when the smooth muscles in the penis relax and allow more blood to enter the erectile tissue.

Alprostadil helps this process by relaxing the smooth muscles and widening small blood vessels. This allows blood to flow into two sponge-like structures inside the penis, called the corpora cavernosa.

As these structures fill with blood, the penis becomes firmer and an erection develops.

Unlike PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, which depend on the body’s normal sexual arousal pathway, injected alprostadil acts directly on penile tissue and can produce an erection without sexual stimulation.

This does not mean the medicine increases sexual desire. Its action is mainly physical, affecting blood circulation rather than libido.

The response depends on the prescribed dose, the person’s medical condition and how their body reacts to treatment.

How to use Alprostadil Injection

Alprostadil Injection must be used exactly as instructed by a qualified healthcare professional. It is injected into the erectile tissue of the penis, not swallowed or injected into a muscle or vein.

The first dose should be administered in a medical setting so the doctor can check the response and determine an appropriate dose.

Before using it at home, patients must receive practical training in preparing and administering their particular product.

Important instructions include:

• Follow the prescribed dose: Never increase the amount without medical approval.
• Use the correct equipment: Only use needles, syringes or injection devices recommended for the prescribed product.
• Follow injection training: Use only the technique and injection sites demonstrated by your healthcare professional.
• Maintain hygiene: Clean the area and use sterile, single-use equipment as instructed.
• Rotate injection sites: Follow the recommended rotation to reduce irritation and tissue damage.
• Avoid frequent use: For Caverject, the recommended maximum is three injections per week, with at least 24 hours between doses.
• Dispose of equipment safely: Place used needles in an approved sharps container.

Do not attempt an injection without proper medical training. If the solution looks cloudy, discoloured or contains particles, do not use it.

Alprostadil Injection dosage

The correct dose depends on the cause of erectile dysfunction, the patient’s response and the particular injection product.

For Caverject, prescribing information recommends an initial dose of 2.5 micrograms for many men with vascular, psychological or mixed causes of ED. Men with certain nerve-related causes may require a lower starting dose.

These are clinical starting-dose recommendations, not instructions to select a dose independently.

A healthcare professional gradually adjusts the amount to find the lowest dose that provides a satisfactory erection without lasting too long.

Caverject doses above 60 micrograms are not recommended. Other alprostadil products may have different dosing limits.

Patients should never change their dose or combine injections with other ED treatments unless specifically directed by their prescriber.

How long does Alprostadil Injection take to work and how long does it last?

Alprostadil Injection generally begins working within 5 to 20 minutes after administration.

An appropriately adjusted dose should produce an erection that lasts long enough for sexual activity but normally no longer than approximately one hour.

The exact duration varies between individuals. Factors such as blood circulation, the underlying cause of ED and the prescribed dose may affect the response.

An erection that lasts longer than expected should be discussed with the prescribing doctor. If an erection lasts four hours or more, seek emergency medical care immediately, even if it is not painful.

What are the side effects of Alprostadil Injection?

Like other prescription medicines, Alprostadil Injection can cause unwanted effects. Some are temporary and manageable, while others require urgent medical attention.

Common side effects

Possible side effects include:

• Mild or moderate penile pain
• Discomfort at the injection site
• Small amounts of bleeding
• Bruising or local redness
• Burning or aching sensations
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Not everyone experiences these symptoms. However, patients should report discomfort that persists, becomes more severe or affects their willingness to continue treatment.

Serious side effects

Although less common, serious complications can occur.

Prolonged erection or priapism: An erection lasting four hours or longer is a medical emergency because it can cause permanent damage to penile tissue.

Penile fibrosis: Repeated injections may sometimes lead to scar tissue, firm areas or changes in the shape of the penis.

Severe low blood pressure: Some patients may experience significant dizziness, weakness or fainting.

Infection or injury: Incorrect technique can damage tissue or introduce infection.

Seek medical assistance for severe pain, unusual swelling, significant bleeding, a broken needle or signs of an allergic reaction.

Regular follow-up appointments help identify complications early.

Alprostadil Injection interactions

Alprostadil may interact with certain medicines or increase the risk of complications when used alongside other treatments.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements you use.

Particular caution is needed with:

• Blood thinners: Medicines such as warfarin and heparin may increase bleeding at the injection site.
• Blood pressure medicines: Some combinations may increase dizziness or low blood pressure.
• Other ED medicines: Sildenafil, tadalafil and other erection treatments should not be combined with alprostadil unless specifically approved by a specialist.
• Other penile injections: Combining injectable ED medicines without medical supervision may increase the risk of prolonged erections.

Alcohol interactions

Alcohol may increase dizziness and can make erectile problems worse. It is sensible to limit alcohol and follow your doctor’s advice during treatment.

Precautions and warnings

Alprostadil Injection is not appropriate for every person with erectile dysfunction.

Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have:

• Sickle cell disease, leukaemia or multiple myeloma
• Peyronie’s disease or penile scarring
• A penile implant
• Low blood pressure or a history of fainting
• Heart disease or restrictions on sexual activity
• A bleeding disorder or treatment with anticoagulants
• A previous prolonged or painful erection

People with conditions that increase the risk of priapism or certain penile abnormalities should not use Caverject.

The injection is intended for selected adult men with erectile dysfunction. It is not a treatment for women or children.

Regular medical reviews are important, particularly during long-term treatment. Your doctor may examine the penis for signs of scarring and review whether the prescribed dose remains appropriate.

What if I miss a dose or take too much?

Alprostadil Injection is usually prescribed for use when needed rather than on a daily schedule. Therefore, missing a dose does not normally require any action.

Do not administer extra injections to compensate for a missed or unsuccessful dose.

Using more than prescribed may cause severe penile pain, low blood pressure or a prolonged erection.

If you accidentally use too much, seek urgent medical advice. An erection lasting four hours or longer requires immediate emergency care.

Alprostadil Injection vs oral ED medicines

Both alprostadil and oral PDE5 inhibitors are used for erectile dysfunction, but they work differently.

Feature	Alprostadil Injection	Sildenafil tablets
Active ingredient	Alprostadil	Sildenafil
Drug class	Vasodilator	PDE5 inhibitor
Administration	Penile injection	Oral tablet
Typical onset	5–20 minutes	30–60 minutes
Typical duration	Approximately 30–60 minutes	Around 4–5 hours of potential effect
Sexual stimulation required	Not necessarily	Yes
Prescription required	Yes	Yes

The most suitable treatment depends on medical history, patient preference, safety considerations and previous responses to ED medicines.

How to store Alprostadil Injection

Storage instructions vary according to the manufacturer, product strength and whether the medicine has been prepared for injection.

• Keep the medicine in its original packaging.
• Protect it from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Follow the exact temperature instructions on the label.
• Check the expiry date before use.
• Never use damaged or contaminated products.
• Keep medicines and injection equipment away from children.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the prepared solution.

Do not assume all alprostadil injections have the same refrigeration requirements. For example, Caverject 20 mcg and 40 mcg vials have different storage instructions before dispensing.

Why choose Alprostadil Injection for ED treatment?

Alprostadil Injection provides an alternative for some men who cannot use oral erectile dysfunction medicines or have not achieved satisfactory results with them.

Its main features include a relatively quick onset, direct action on erectile tissue and individually adjusted dosing.

However, injection treatment involves additional responsibilities. Patients must be comfortable with the administration method, receive appropriate training and attend regular medical reviews.

Before obtaining the medicine, confirm that the supplier is licensed, the product is authentic and a valid prescription is required. Product quality, correct storage and access to professional support are especially important for injectable medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alprostadil Injection effective for erectile dysfunction?

Alprostadil can be effective for many men with erectile dysfunction. Results vary according to the underlying condition, prescribed dose and response to treatment.

How quickly does Alprostadil Injection work?

An erection may develop within 5 to 20 minutes after injection. Your healthcare professional will explain what response to expect.

Is Alprostadil Injection painful?

Some men experience penile discomfort or pain during or after treatment. Proper training can reduce injection-related injury, but pain may still occur.

Can I use Alprostadil Injection every day?

For Caverject, the usual maximum frequency is three times per week, with at least 24 hours between injections. Do not exceed the instructions for your prescribed brand.

Does Alprostadil Injection increase sexual desire?

No. It improves blood flow to help produce an erection but does not directly increase libido.

Can Alprostadil Injection be used with Viagra?

Do not combine alprostadil with Viagra or other ED treatments unless a specialist has specifically prescribed and supervised the combination.

Do I need a prescription for Alprostadil Injection?

Yes. It is a prescription medicine that requires medical assessment, individual dose adjustment and injection training.