Cialis, Levitra, Viagra and other Pills

There are now a number drugs which are effective in enhancing erection. The main scientifically established ones for taking as pills are Cialis, Levitra and Viagra, and Yohimbine. Whilst Viagra is the best known of the modern pills, Cialis and Levitra work equally as well and can be taken three times a week as opposed to an hour before sexual activity.

Yohimbine, made from the bark of a West Indian tree, has been used in the UK for at least 80 years. A number studies have shown significant improvement in ‘sustained erections’ for men taking between 20 and 40 mg daily. The drug acts in the brain to increase arousal and motivation. It has also been taken on an ‘as required’ basis one hour before intercourse in a 5 mg dose. Some people suggested the drug needs to be taken for several weeks to really work. It generally causes no side effects, but with high doses may inter-act with other drugs.

Alprostadil pellets, or MUSE

Alprostadil is quitesimilar to the natural substance in the body called Prostaglandin E1. It acts by widening blood vessels so that blood can flow into the penis more easily. Marketed in the form of a pellet the size of a pin-head the drug is placed in the opening at the tip of the urethra using an applicator. The technique for doing this is easy and painless. To assist the drug’s action physical activity which mobilises blood flow to the pelvis, such as walking, is recommended.

The starting dose of Alprostadil is 250 micrograms increasing to a maximum of 1000 micrograms as necessary. Erection occurs within 10 minutes and lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. Not more than two doses are recommended in any 24 hour period. Interaction with other drugs is unlikely because of the low levels of alprostadil in the blood. Decongestants, appetite suppressants and some drugs used to control high blood pressure may diminish the response to alprostadil.

Alprostadil Injections

The first of the new drugs for erection, Caverject, remains for some men the most reliable way to get an erection. It is also the most trouble, as the man has to learn to inject himself into the right part of the penis, the Corpus Cavernosum.

Doses vary between an initial dose of 1.25 micrograms and a maximum of 60 micrograms. Usually an effective dose is between 5 and 20 micrograms which gives an erection after a few minutes, which lasts about an hour.

If the erection lasts more than four to six hours, blood needs to be drawn off to make the erection come down. Failure to do this may otherwise make erections more difficult to get in future. Bruising sometimes occurs at the site of injection though this is less likely with a good injection technique; rarely a bend develops in the penis after repeated injections (Peyronie’s disease).

There are prepared syringes of Alprostadil available for injection under the trade name of Viridal Duo and Caverject Dual Chamber. These may be easier to administer and their action is similar

Surgery

This can only be used when nothing else will do, and usually involves plastic implants into the penis. Once an implant has been put in, it breaks up the tissues which give the erection. This means that if it has to be removed for any reason, the man will not be able to have an erection again.

All Medical Treatments have to be given by a medically qualified doctor.