Alprostadil para disfunção erétil
Caverject, Muse, Viridal, Vitaros
Revisado por Sid DajaniÚltima atualização por Michael Stewart, MRPharmSÚltima atualização 19 Set 2023
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Importante: if you have a prolonged or painful erection lasting for more than four hours, contact your doctor immediately.
Your doctor will arrange to see you to check your progress regularly - it is important that you keep these appointments.
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About alprostadil
Tipo de medicamento | Prostaglandin E1 vasodilator |
Usado para | Disfunção erétil em homens adultos |
Também chamado de | Caverject®, MUSE®, Viridal® Duo, Vitaros® |
Disponível como | Injection, urethral application, urethral cream |
Disfunção erétil (às vezes chamada de impotência) means that you cannot get or maintain a proper erection. There are several causes, the most common being due to a narrowing of the arteries that take blood to the penis. Alprostadil is a vasodilator, which means that it works by widening (dilating) blood vessels to improve the flow of blood. When administered to the penis, blood flow to this area is increased, resulting in an erection usually within 10-15 minutes.
Alprostadil is available as an injection treatment, which is where you inject alprostadil into the base of your penis. It is available as a urethral application, which is where you place a small pellet containing alprostadil into your urethra (the tube which your urine passes through and which opens at the end of your penis). It is also available as a cream which is applied to the opening of the urethra on the tip of the penis. You will be taught how to use the preparation you have been prescribed.
Alprostadil is available on prescription but it is only prescribed on the NHS under certain circumstances.
Before using alprostadil
Voltar ao conteúdoSome medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using alprostadil it is important that your doctor knows:
If you have any disease, injury, or any abnormality of your penis, or if you have been told you have a problem in your urethra.
If you have been advised for medical reasons not to have sex.
If you have any problems with feeling dizzy or faint.
If you have any heart or blood vessel problems.
Se você tem pressão alta (hipertensão).
Se você tem níveis elevados de açúcar no sangue (diabetes mellitus).
If you are a smoker.
Se você tem doença falciforme.
If you have had bone marrow cancer or leukaemia.
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you are using any other product to help treat erectile dysfunction.
Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a um medicamento.
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How to use alprostadil
Voltar ao conteúdoBefore you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about the specific brand of alprostadil you have been given, diagrams to remind you how to use it, and a full list of the side-effects which may occur.
If prescribed alprostadil injection (Caverject® or Viridal® Duo)
The injection is administered at the base of your penis. When starting the treatment, your doctor will give you a small dose and then gradually increase the dose if necessary. This is to make sure that you have the dose that helps your condition and avoids any unwanted symptoms. Your first injection will be given to you by a doctor or nurse, although after proper training and instruction you will be able to do it yourself at home. It is important that you ask if you are unsure about any of the instructions you are given.
Each time you inject alprostadil, try to use a slightly different site as this will help to prevent any skin problems.
After using alprostadil injection, you must leave at least 24 hours before using another. You must not use alprostadil injection more than three times a week.
Never use, or try to straighten, an injection which has a bent or broken needle. If you discover a bent needle, discard the injection and select a new one.
If prescribed alprostadil urethral application (MUSE®)
It is recommended that you pass urine just before inserting a pellet, as this moistens your urethra and makes the insertion more comfortable.
Your first dose may be given to you by a doctor or nurse. This is to show you how to use the applicator, and also to make sure you have the dose that helps your condition and avoids any unwanted symptoms. Your doctor or nurse will train you to use the applicator before suggesting you do it yourself at home. It is important that you ask if you are unsure about any of the instructions you are given.
If your partner is pregnant, it is important that you use a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom) during sex. This is to help guard against any harm to the unborn baby. It will also help avoid any irritation of the vagina of your partner.
You must not use more than two doses in any 24-hour period, and you must not use more than seven doses a week.
If prescribed alprostadil urethral cream (Vitaros®)
Vitaros® cream is available in one strength - 300 micrograms. The cream is supplied in a container which looks like a syringe (although it must not be inserted into your penis or injected in any way). Each container is to be used once only.
Your first dose may be given to you by a doctor or nurse. This is to show you how to use the cream correctly before you do it yourself at home. It is important that you ask if you are unsure about any of the instructions you are given.
It is usual for the cream to start to work within 5-30 minutes and for its effects to last an hour or two, although this can vary from person to person.
If your partner is pregnant, it is important that you use a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom) during sex. This is to help guard against any harm to the unborn baby. It will also help avoid any irritation of the vagina of your partner.
You must not use more than one dose in any 24-hour period, and you must not use more than three doses a week.
Obtendo o máximo do seu tratamento
Voltar ao conteúdoTente manter suas consultas regulares com seu médico. Isso é para que seu médico possa verificar seu progresso.
Discuss with your doctor whether you can make any lifestyle changes that may help your condition. For example, reducing stress in your life, stopping smoking if you are a smoker, or cutting back on drinking lots of alcohol.
Injections of alprostadil may cause a small amount of bleeding at the site of the injections. This could increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. If you are concerned about this, ask your doctor for advice about 'safe sex'.
Make sure you follow the instructions you have been given for disposing of used injections or applicators.
Se você comprar qualquer medicamento, sempre verifique com um farmacêutico se eles são adequados para tomar com seus outros medicamentos.
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Can alprostadil cause problems?
Voltar ao conteúdoAlong with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with alprostadil. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve after an hour or so, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.
Very common alprostadil side-effects (these affect more than 1 in 10 men) | O que posso fazer se passar por isso? |
Painful penis, or a burning sensation | This should soon pass, but if troublesome, speak with your doctor for advice |
Common alprostadil side-effects (these affect fewer than 1 in 10 men) | O que posso fazer se passar por isso? |
Prolonged and painful erection | If this lasts for more than four hours, you deve contact a doctor straightaway. If it lasts for more than one hour but less than four hours, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss reducing your dose |
Headache, feeling dizzy or light-headed | Getting up more slowly may help, but these feelings should soon pass. Do not drive and do not use tools or machines while dizzy |
Bleeding from the site of application (injection only), bruising | This should not last long |
Testicular pain, leg cramps | Se houver problemas, fale com seu médico para obter aconselhamento |
Se você sentir quaisquer outros sintomas que acha que podem ser devido ao medicamento, fale com seu médico ou farmacêutico para mais conselhos.
How to store alprostadil
Voltar ao conteúdoMantenha todos os medicamentos fora do alcance e da vista das crianças.
Armazene em local fresco e seco, longe de calor e luz diretos.
If you have been prescribed MUSE® or Vitaros®, your supply should be stored in a refrigerator. Pouches of MUSE® can be kept out of the fridge for up to 14 days before use, if required. Sachets of Vitaros® can be kept out of the fridge for up to three days before use. If they remain unused after these times, they should be disposed of.
Informações importantes sobre todos os medicamentos
Voltar ao conteúdoInformações importantes sobre todos os medicamentos
Nunca use mais do que a dose prescrita. Se suspeitar que você ou outra pessoa possa ter tido uma overdose deste medicamento, vá ao departamento de emergência do hospital local. Leve o recipiente com você, mesmo que esteja vazio.
Se você for se submeter a uma operação ou a qualquer tratamento dentário, informe à pessoa que está realizando o tratamento quais medicamentos você está tomando.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people, even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Se você tiver alguma dúvida sobre este medicamento, pergunte ao seu farmacêutico.
Relatar efeitos colaterais de um medicamento ou vacina
Se você sentir efeitos colaterais, pode relatá-los online através do site Cartão Amarelo.

Inseguro sobre misturar medicamentos?
Verifique possíveis interações entre medicamentos, suplementos e alimentos antes de tomá-los juntos.
Leitura adicional e referências
- Manufacturer's PIL, Caverject® Dual Chamber 10 micrograms and Caverject® Dual Chamber 20 micrograms; Pfizer Limited, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated January 2019.
- Manufacturer's PIL, MUSE® 125 microgram, 250 micrograms, 500 micrograms or 1000 micrograms urethral stick. Mylan Products Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated May 2018.
- Manufacturer's PIL, Viridal Duo 10, 20, 40 micrograms/ml, Powder and Solvent for Solution for Injection; ADVANZ Pharma, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2021.
- Manufacturer's PIL, Vitaros® 3 mg/g cream; The Simple Pharma Company Ltd, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated August 2021.
- Medicamentos Completo BNF 89ª Edição; Associação Médica Britânica e Sociedade Real de Farmácia da Grã-Bretanha, Londres.
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Histórico do artigo
As informações nesta página são escritas e revisadas por clínicos qualificados.
Próxima revisão prevista para: 18 de setembro de 2026
19 Set 2023 | Última versão

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