Vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy.

The use of vasoactive intracavernous pharmacotherapy for the treatment of impotence is rapidly expanding because of its effectiveness and the rarity of short-term complications. To minimize complications, careful selection of candidates, cautious dosage determination, and thorough instruction on injection technique are mandatory. Sustained erection should be treated with alpha-adrenergic agents after 4 to 6 hours. Frequent follow-up is mandatory after home injection begins to detect the development of penile abnormalities. Longer follow-up and additional studies are required to determine the types and incidences of long-term adverse effects of the technique.