Etilefrine in the prevention of prolonged erection after diagnostic pharmacological stimulation.

The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of intracavernous injection of etilefrine hydrochloride in the prevention of pharmacologically induced prolonged erection. Two hundred rigid erections due to diagnostic pharmacological stimulation were treated with immediate intracavernous injection of 5 to 10 mg etilefrine hydrochloride. Penile response and general side effects after the injection were recorded. Patients were interviewed after 1-2 weeks about possible side effects. Detumescence occurred within 10 minutes in 194 (97%) cases. In the remaining six (3%), detumescence occurred after cavernous aspiration and additional injection of 5 mg etilefrine. Thirteen patients (6.5%) had transitory palpitations. None of the patients had hypertensive crisis, cardiac arrythmia or ischaemic events. Intracavernous injection of etilefrine is effective and safe in preventing prolonged erection after diagnostic pharmacological stimulation.