Prostaglandin E1 in the medical management of erectile dysfunction in a genito-urinary medicine clinic.

Fifty consecutive patients with erectile failure who had previously proved refractory to papaverine and phentolamine intracavernosal therapy or were inappropriate candidates for such treatment were treated with intracavernosal prostaglandin E1. Forty patients (80%) achieved an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse and after a mean follow-up period of 5.9 months, 32 patients were continuing to use treatment successfully. The average dose was 14 micrograms (range 2.5 to 30 micrograms). There were no cases of priapism or cavernosal fibrosis and no systemic side effects. A low incidence (8%) of local discomfort was reported. We conclude that prostaglandin is a safe and effective vasoactive agent for the treatment of erectile failure in a genito-urinary outpatient clinic.