Comparison of Alprostadil (Caverject) and a combination of vasoactive drugs as local injections for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

The efficiency and side effects of a single dose of 20 mcg of intracorporeally applied Alprostadil (Caverject, Upjohn), a prostaglandin E1, in inducing penile erection were examined in 30 patients. In addition, the effect of this dose of prostaglandin E1 was compared to that of 30 mg of papaverine plus 0.5 mg of regitine (phentolamine). All patients received a first injection of the combination of the vasoactive drugs and a second injection of the prescribed dose of Caverject. The degree of erection, time interval between injections and achievement of full erection as well as side effects during and after injection were compared. All patients had a burning sensation during the injection of Caverject. Two patients given the vasoactive combination got priapism and were evacuated; this complication was not reported for Caverject. In the doses used Caverject was superior to papaverine plus phentolamine in inducing penile erection and in achieving a higher grade of erection.