Erectile Dysfunction Injections: What You Need to Know (2024)

Penile injection therapy is a proven and FDA-approved medication to help people struggling with erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain an erection. Injection therapy is especially sought after by people who want more immediate erections.

Injectable alprostadil, sold under the brand names Caverject, Edex, and Prostin VR, causes an erection by relaxing the smooth muscle and opening blood vessels in the penis. Alprostadil is also available as a suppository—a solid piece of medicine that dissolves into the urethra—but it is less commonly used due to cost, efficiency, and side effects.

Other prescription medications commonly used in penile injection therapy are Trimix, Bimix, and papaverine, but most people start with Trimix, which contains three main ingredients: alprostadil, phentolamine, and papaverine.

This article will review how these injectable medications are used and what to know about dosage and side effects before you begin treatment.

How It Works

Penile injectable therapy is a quick, highly effective, and mostly pain-free way to relieve your ED. It is also useful for those who cannot take traditional ED pills or have not had success taking them.

Before using the drug therapy on your own at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to inject the medication, usually on a urological model of the pelvis or on a video. The process of injections usually follows these steps:

1. Draw the medication from a premixed 10 mL prescription vial into a short syringe with a very fine needle (usually 29-31 gauge).
2. Clean the site with an alcoholic wipe.
3. Make an injection in the lateral side of the penis (the 10 o’clock or two o’clock position), into the spongy tissue of the penis about halfway between the base and the tip of the penis. Make sure you are standing up, as this allows more blood to flow into the penis. Press the plunger into the penis for five to 10 seconds to make sure the entire dose is administered.
4. Remove the syringe and press an alcohol pad or gauze on the site after the injection for at least five minutes (or up to 10 minutes if you are on a blood thinner, such as warfarin).

If you prefer, you can use an auto-injector, which is a spring-loaded device that inserts the needle into the penis very quickly, minimizing discomfort.

The thought of injecting a needle into your penis may sound intimidating, but many people with ED find that the treatment works. Research shows that 70% of people who use penile injection therapy are happy with their results.

Before Use

Do not take any ED drugs for at least 24 hours prior to your appointment, especially Cialis or Viagra. Traditional ED drugs like these should never be taken with penile injections.

Also, prepare any questions you may have for your urologist or healthcare provider beforehand. It’s worth noting that if you plan on having your partner assist with or perform the injections, they should be present at your teaching appointment.

Dosage

The slogan often used with penile injection therapy dosing is to go low and slow. This means that your healthcare provider will probably start with a low dosage and increase your dose each time until you get the effect you want.

Adult injections usually start at 1.25 micrograms, but can go as high as 60 micrograms. Your exact dose will be determined by your doctor.

Adults should only take one single dose per day 10 to 30 minutes before intercourse. The maximum recommended number of injections per week is three.

Side Effects

Occasionally, penile injections may cause a dull ache at the injection site, as well as fainting, dizziness, and low blood pressure, but these side effects usually resolve quickly and on their own. Pain can also occur as a side effect of alprostadil, in which case the medication Bimix (papaverine, phentolamine) may be prescribed instead.

If any of these side effects persists, contact a healthcare provider. If your erection persists for more than four hours (a condition called priapism), seek immediate medical attention. It is advised that you call your urologist and seek care at a local emergency department.

Priapism is more common in formulations that contain papaverine and phentolamine, but once the dosing is established, it rarely occurs.

Warnings

You should never take an injection if you have taken Viagra, Cialis, or any other oral erectile medication the night before or the morning of your penile injection therapy. The same is true of your teaching appointment with your urologist if they will be administering your first injection.

The medication should be stored in a refrigerator and used within 90 days. Also, always make sure that you keep your medication and syringes out of the reach of children and safely dispose of outdated medicine.

Lastly, a cardiologist should be consulted before using penile injections to ensure safety, especially if a patient has a pre-existing heart problem.

A Word From Verywell

Penile injection therapy is a safe and effective tool to solve your ED problems, but it isn’t for everyone. Injections are less effective in people with vascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or high blood pressure.

If injections don’t work after three months of use, contact a healthcare provider.Additional treatment options are available that they can help you explore.