Alprostadil (injection)

Alprostadil (injection)
Adult Indications & Dosage
Pediatric Indications & Dosage
Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Use in Specific Populations
Administration & Monitoring
Overdosage
Pharmacology
Clinical Studies
How Supplied
Images
Patient Counseling Information
Precautions with Alcohol
Brand Names
Look-Alike Names

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kiran Singh, M.D. [2]

Disclaimer

WikiDoc MAKES NO GUARANTEE OF VALIDITY. WikiDoc is not a professional health care provider, nor is it a suitable replacement for a licensed healthcare provider. WikiDoc is intended to be an educational tool, not a tool for any form of healthcare delivery. The educational content on WikiDoc drug pages is based upon the FDA package insert, National Library of Medicine content and practice guidelines / consensus statements. WikiDoc does not promote the administration of any medication or device that is not consistent with its labeling. Please read our full disclaimer here.

Overview

Alprostadil (injection) is an erectile dysfunction agent that is FDA approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction due to neurogenic, vasculogenic, psychogenic, or mixed etiology. Common adverse reactions include {{{adverseReactions}}}.

Adult Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)

Indications

• Edex® is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction due to neurogenic, vasculogenic, psychogenic, or mixed etiology.

Dosage

Edex® in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

• The dosage range of edex® for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is 1 to 40 mcg. The intracavernous injection should be given over a 5 to 10 second interval. In a study with a dose range of 1 to 20 mcg of edex®, the mean dose was 10.7 mcg at the end of the dose titration period. In two studies with a dose range of 1 to 40 mcg of edex®, the mean dose was 21.9 mcg at the end of the dose titration period. Doses greater than 40 mcg have not been studied. A ½ inch, 27 to 30 gauge needle is generally recommended for the intracavernous injection. The patient is advised not to exceed the optimum edex® dose which was determined in the doctor's office. The lowest possible effective dose should always be used.

Initial Titration in Physician's Office

Erectile Dysfunction of Vasculogenic, Psychogenic, or Mixed Etiology

• Dosage titration should be initiated at 2.5 micrograms of alprostadil. If there is a partial response, the dose may be increased by 2.5 micrograms to a dose of 5 micrograms and then in increments of 5 to 10 micrograms, depending upon erectile response, until the dose that produces an erection suitable for intercourse and not exceeding a duration of 1 hour is reached. If there is no response to the initial 2.5-microgram dose, the second dose may be increased to 7.5 micrograms, followed by increments of 5 to 10 micrograms. The patient must stay in the physician's office until complete detumescence occurs. It there is no response, then the next higher dose may be given within 1 hour. If there is a response, then there should be at least a 1-day interval before the next dose is given.

Erectile Dysfunction of Pure Neurogenic Etiology (Spinal Cord Injury)

• Dosage titration should be initiated at 1.25 micrograms of alprostadil. The dose may be increased by 1.25 micrograms to a dose of 2.5 micrograms, followed by an increment of 2.5 micrograms to a dose of 5 micrograms, and then in 5-microgram increments until the dose that produces an erection suitable for intercourse and not exceeding a duration of 1 hour is reached. The patient must stay in the physician's office until complete detumescence occurs. If there is no response, then the next higher dose may be given within 1 hour. If there is a response, then there should be at least a 1-day interval before the next dose is given.

At-Home (Maintenance Therapy) Dosing Instructions

• The first injections of edex® must be done at the physician's office by medically trained personnel. Self-injection therapy by the patient can be started only after the patient is properly instructed and well trained in the self-injection technique. The physician should instruct the patient to discard any needles which become bent during the self-injection procedure as these needles may break. The physician should make a careful assessment of the patient's skills and competence with the self-injection procedure. The intracavernous injection must be done under sterile conditions. The site of injection is usually along the lateral aspect of the proximal third of the penis. Visible veins should be avoided. The side of the penis that is injected and the site of injection must be alternated. The injection site must be cleansed with an alcohol swab before injection.

• The dose of edex® that is selected for self-injection treatment should provide the patient with an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse and that is maintained for no longer than 1 hour. If the duration of erection is longer than 1 hour, the dose of edex® should be reduced. The lowest effective dose should be used at home. Self-injection therapy for use at home should be initiated at the dose that was determined in the physician's office. Dose adjustment may be required and should be made only after consultation with the physician.

• Careful and continuous follow-up of the patient while in the self-injection program must be exercised. This is especially true for the initial self-injections, since adjustments in the dose of edex® may be needed. The recommended frequency of injection is no more than 3 times weekly, with at least 24 hours between each dose. The reconstituted edex® cartridge and needle are intended for single use only and should be discarded after use. The user should be instructed in the proper disposal of the needles and cartridges.

• While on self-injection treatment, it is recommended that the patient visit the prescribing physician's office every 3 months. At that time, the efficacy and safety of the therapy should be assessed, and the dose of edex® should be adjusted, if needed.

• The patient is instructed to follow the enclosed patient information pamphlet.

Preparation of Solution

• The edex® injection device is used to reconstitute the single-dose, dual-chamber cartridge. The plunger is used to force the sterile 0.9% sodium chloride (1.075 mL) in one chamber into the chamber containing alprostadil. After reconstitution, the edex® injection device is used to administer the intracavernous injection of alprostadil. The reusable edex® injection device is for use only with the cartridges and needles included in the edex® Cartridge Packs.

• Prepare the edex® solution immediately before use. Do not administer unless solution is clear. Do not add any drugs or solutions to the edex® solution. Discard any unused solution remaining in the cartridge. The reconstituted solution should not be stored.

• The edex® cartridge contains a solid layer or lyophilized cake of dry white powder approximately 3/8" in thickness. A normal cake may appear cracked or crumbled. If the cartridge is damaged, the cake may shrink in size. Do not use the cartridge if it appears damaged or the cake is substantially reduced in size.

• Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. The reconstituted solution may initially appear cloudy due to small air bubbles. Do not use the solution if it remains cloudy, contains precipitates, or is discolored.

CAUTION: Do not reuse any solution remaining in the cartridge due to the possibility of bacterial contamination.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Alprostadil (injection) in adult patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Alprostadil (injection) in adult patients.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)

There is limited information regarding FDA-Labeled Use of Alprostadil (injection) in pediatric patients.

Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)

Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Alprostadil (injection) in pediatric patients.

Non–Guideline-Supported Use

There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Alprostadil (injection) in pediatric patients.

Contraindications

• Edex®should not be used:

• In men who have conditions that predispose them to priapism, such as sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, multiple myeloma, or leukemia.

• For the treatment of ED in men with fibrotic conditions of the penis, such as cavernosal fibrosis or Peyronie’s disease

• In men with penile implants

Warnings

• Prolonged erections greater than four hours in duration occurred in 4% of all patients treated up to 24 months. The incidence of priapism (erections greater than 6 hours in duration) was <1% with long-term use for up to 24 months. In the majority of cases, spontaneous detumescence occurred. Pharmacologic intervention and/or aspiration of blood from the corpora was necessary in 1.6% of 311 patients with prolonged erections/priapism. To minimize the chances of prolonged erection or priapism, edex® should be titrated slowly to the lowest effective dose. The patient must be instructed to immediately report to his prescribing physician or, if unavailable, to seek immediate medical assistance for any erection that persists longer than six hours. If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency may result.

Precautions

General

• Intracavernous injections of edex® can lead to increased peripheral blood levels of PGE1 and its metabolites, especially in those patients with significant corpora cavernosa venous leakage. Increased peripheral blood levels of PGE1 and its metabolites may lead to hypotension and/or dizziness.

• Regular follow-up of patients, with careful examination of the penis at the start of therapy and at regular intervals (e.g. 3 months), is strongly recommended to identify any penile changes. The overall incidence of penile fibrosis, including Peyronie's disease, reported in clinical studies up to 24 months with edex® was 7.8%. Treatment with edex® should be discontinued in patients who develop penile angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease. Treatment can be resumed if the penile abnormality subsides.

• The safety and efficacy of combinations of edex® and other vasoactive agents have not been systematically studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended.

• After injection of the edex® solution, compression of the injection site for five minutes, or until bleeding stops, is necessary. Patients on anticoagulants, such as warfarin or heparin, may have increased propensity for bleeding after intracavernous injection.

• Underlying treatable medical causes of erectile dysfunction should be diagnosed and treated prior to initiation of therapy with edex®.

• Edex® uses a superfine (29 gauge) needle. As with all superfine needles, the possibility of needle breakage exists. Careful instruction in proper patient handling and injection techniques may minimize the potential for needle breakage.

• The patient should be instructed not to reuse or to share needles or cartridges. As with all prescription medicines, the patient should not allow anyone else to use his medicine.

• Cardiovascular Risk Related to Underlying Medical Conditions

There is a potential for cardiac risk of sexual activity in patients with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Therefore, treatments for erectile dysfunction, including edex®, generally should not be used in men for whom sexual activity is inadvisable because of their underlying cardiovascular status. In addition, the evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a determination of potential underlying causes and the identification of appropriate treatment following a complete medical assessment.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical Trials Experience

• Edex®, administered by intracavernous injection in doses ranging from 1 to 40 mcg per injection for periods up to 24 months, has been evaluated in clinical trials for safety in over 1,065 patients with erectile dysfunction. Discontinuation of therapy due to a side effect in clinical trials was required in approximately 9% of patients treated with edex® and in <1% of patients treated with placebo.

Local Adverse Reactions

The following local adverse reactions were reported in studies including 1,065 patients treated with edex® for up to two years.

Penile Pain

• With use of up to 24 months, penile pain was reported at least once by 29% of patients during injection, 35% of patients during erection, and by 30% of patients after erection. On a per injection basis, 15% of injections were associated with penile pain. Penile pain was judged by patients to be mild in intensity for 80% of painful injections, moderate in intensity for 16% of painful injections, and severe in intensity for 4% of painful injections. The frequency of penile pain reports decreased over time; forty-one percent of the patients experienced pain during the first 2 months and 3% of the patients experienced pain during months 21-24. In placebo-controlled studies, penile pain was reported by 31% of patients after edex® and by 9% of patients after placebo injection.

Prolonged Erection/Priapism

• Prolonged erections greater than four hours in duration occurred in 4% of all patients treated up to 24 months. In placebo-controlled studies, 3% of patients treated with edex® and <1% of patients treated with placebo reported prolonged erections greater than four hours. The incidence of priapism (erections greater than 6 hours in duration) was <1% with long-term use for up to 24 months. In the majority of cases, spontaneous detumescence occurred. A higher incidence of prolonged erections was found in younger patients (<40 years), non-diabetic patients, and patients with psychogenic etiology of erectile dysfunction.

Hematoma/Ecchymosis

• In patients treated with edex® for up to 24 months, local bleeding, hematoma and ecchymosis were observed in 15%, 5% and 4% of patients, respectively. In placebo-controlled studies, the frequency of local bleeding was 6% with injection of edex® and 3% with injection of placebo. In most cases, these reactions were attributed to faulty injection technique.

File:XXXXX.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Systemic Adverse Experiences

• The following systemic adverse experiences were reported in controlled and uncontrolled studies in ≥1% of patients treated for up to 24 months with edex®.

File:XXXXX.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

• Hemodynamic changes, manifested as increases or decreases in blood pressure and pulse rate, were observed during clinical studies but did not appear to be dose-dependent. Four patients (<1%) reported clinical symptoms of hypotension such as dizziness or syncope.

• Edex® had no clinically important effect on serum or urine laboratory tests.

Postmarketing Experience

• Needle breakage.

Drug Interactions

• The pharmacodynamic interaction between heparin (5,000 IU) and alprostadil intravenous infusion (90 mcg over 3 hours) was investigated. The results indicate significant changes in partial thromboplastin time (140% increase) and thrombin time (120% increase). Therefore, caution should be exercised with concomitant administration of heparin and edex®.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category (FDA):

• Edex® is not indicated for use in women.

Pregnancy Category (AUS):

• Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) Pregnancy Category

There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Alprostadil (injection) in women who are pregnant.

Labor and Delivery

There is no FDA guidance on use of Alprostadil (injection) during labor and delivery.

Nursing Mothers

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) with respect to nursing mothers.

Pediatric Use

Edex® is not indicated for use in pediatric patients.

Geriatic Use

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) with respect to geriatrics populations.

Gender

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) with respect to specific gender populations.

Race

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) with respect to specific racial populations.

Renal Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) in patients with renal impairment.

Hepatic Impairment

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) in patients with hepatic impairment.

Females of Reproductive Potential and Males

There is no FDA guidance on the use of Alprostadil (injection) in women of reproductive potentials and males.

Immunocompromised Patients

There is no FDA guidance one the use of Alprostadil (injection) in patients who are immunocompromised.

Administration and Monitoring

Administration

• Edex® is given as an intracavernous injection over a 5 to 10 second interval. See patient information for edex®.

Stability

• The single-dose, dual-chamber cartridge should be reconstituted only when it is certain that the patient is ready to administer the drug. The reconstituted drug solution should be used immediately after reconstitution. Any solution remaining in the cartridge should be discarded.

Monitoring

There is limited information regarding Monitoring of Alprostadil (injection) in the drug label.

IV Compatibility

There is limited information regarding IV Compatibility of Alprostadil (injection) in the drug label.

Overdosage

• Limited data are available in regard to edex® overdose in humans. Systemic reactions are uncommon with intracavernous injection of edex®. Hypotension occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with edex®. A single dose rising tolerance study in healthy volunteers indicated that single intravenous doses of alprostadil from 1 to 120 mcg were well tolerated. Beginning with a 40 mcg bolus intravenous dose, the frequency of drug-related systemic adverse events increased in a dose-dependent manner, characterized mainly by facial flushing.

• The primary symptom of an edex® overdose is a prolonged erection or priapism. Because of the potential for tissue hypoxia and possible necrosis, it is strongly recommended to treat an erection lasting more than 6 hours. The patient is strongly encouraged to go to the nearest emergency room if his personal physician is not available.

• In the event of an overdose, supportive therapy according to the presence of other symptoms is recommended.

Pharmacology

There is limited information regarding Alprostadil (injection) Pharmacology in the drug label.

Mechanism of Action

Structure

File:Alprostadil (injection)01.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Pharmacodynamics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacodynamics of Alprostadil (injection) in the drug label.

Pharmacokinetics

There is limited information regarding Pharmacokinetics of Alprostadil (injection) in the drug label.

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

• Long-term carcinogenicity studies have not been conducted. Alprostadil showed no evidence of mutagenicity in three in vitro assays including the AMES bacterial reverse mutation assay, a forward gene mutation assay in Chinese hamster lung (V79) cells, and a chromosome aberration assay in human peripheral lymphocytes. Alprostadil did not produce damage to chromosomes or the mitotic apparatus in the in vivo rat micronucleus test.

• Alprostadil did not cause any adverse effects on fertility or general reproductive performance when administered intraperitoneally to male or female rats at dose levels from 2 to 200 mcg/kg/day. The high dose of 200 mcg/kg/day is about 300 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) on a body weight basis. The human dose of edex® is <1 mcg/kg (MRHD is 40 mcg and the calculation assumes a 60 kg subject).

Clinical Studies

There is limited information regarding Clinical Studies of Alprostadil (injection) in the drug label.

How Supplied

• Edex® (alprostadil for injection) is available in single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges intended for use with the reusable edex® injection device. One chamber of the cartridge contains 10.75, 21.5 or 43.0 mcg of alprostadil as a white, sterile, lyophilized powder. The other chamber contains 1.075 mL of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride. When the cartridge is placed into the edex® injection device and reconstituted, the deliverable amount of alprostadil in each milliliter is 10, 20 or 40 micrograms, respectively. edex® Cartridge 2 Pack contains one reusable edex® injection device, two single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges, two ½ inch, 29 gauge (0.33 mm × 12.7 mm) needles, and four alcohol swabs. edex® Cartridge 6 Pack contains one reusable edex® injection device, six single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges, six ½ inch, 29 gauge (0.33 mm × 12.7 mm) needles, and twelve alcohol swabs.

• The edex® cartridges are supplied in the following packages:

File:XXXXX.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

File:XXXXX.png

This image is provided by the National Library of Medicine.

Storage

• Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15° - 30°C (59° - 86°F).

Images

Drug Images

{{#ask: Page Name::Alprostadil (injection) |?Pill Name |?Drug Name |?Pill Ingred |?Pill Imprint |?Pill Dosage |?Pill Color |?Pill Shape |?Pill Size (mm) |?Pill Scoring |?NDC |?Drug Author |format=template |template=DrugPageImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Pill Name }}

Package and Label Display Panel

{{#ask: Label Page::Alprostadil (injection) |?Label Name |format=template |template=DrugLabelImages |mainlabel=- |sort=Label Page }}

Patient Counseling Information

• To ensure safe and effective use of edex®, the patient should be thoroughly instructed and trained in the self-injection technique before he begins intracavernous treatment with edex® at home. The desirable dose should be established in the physician's office. The instructions for preparation of the edex® solution should be carefully followed. The reconstituted solution may initially appear cloudy due to small air bubbles. Do not use the solution if it remains cloudy, contains precipitates, or is discolored. The reconstituted solution should be gently mixed, not shaken. A patient information pamphlet is included in each package of edex® cartridges.

• Edex® should be used immediately after reconstitution. The patient should follow the instructions in the patient information pamphlet to limit the possibility of bacterial contamination. The reconstituted cartridge is designed for one use only and should be discarded after use. The edex® cartridge contains a solid layer or Iyophilized cake of dry white powder approximately 3/8" in thickness. A normal cake may appear cracked or crumbled. If the cartridge is damaged, the cake may shrink in size. Do not use the cartridge if it appears damaged or the cake is substantially reduced in size.

• If the dosage prescribed is less than 1 mL of edex® solution, excess solution will be expelled through the needle as the plunger is pushed and the upper rim of the top stopper reaches the correct volume mark for the prescribed dose. The needle must be properly discarded after use; it must not be reused or shared with other persons.

• The dose of edex® that is established in the physician's office should not be changed by the patient without consulting the physician. The patient may expect an erection to occur within 5 to 20 minutes. A standard treatment goal is to produce an erection lasting no longer than 1 hour. edex® should be used no more than 3 times per week, with at least 24 hours between each use.

• Patients should be aware of possible side effects of therapy with edex®; the most frequently occurring is penile pain during and/or after injection, usually mild to moderate in severity. A potentially serious adverse reaction with intracavernous therapy is priapism. Accordingly, the patient should be instructed to contact the physician's office immediately or, if unavailable, to seek immediate medical assistance if an erection persists for longer than 6 hours.

• The patient should report any penile pain that was not present before or that increased in intensity, as well as the occurrence of nodules or hard tissue in the penis to his physician as soon as possible. As with any injection, infection is possible. Patients should be instructed to report to the physician any penile redness, swelling, tenderness or curvature of the erect penis. The patient must visit the physician's office for regular checkups for assessment of the therapeutic benefit and safety of treatment with edex®.

• Note: Individuals who are sexually active should be counseled about the protective measures that are necessary to guard against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Use of intracavernous edex® offers no protection from the transmission of sexually transmitted or blood-borne diseases. The injection of edex® can induce a small amount of bleeding at the site of injection. In patients infected with blood-borne diseases, this could increase the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases between partners.

Precautions with Alcohol

• Alcohol-Alprostadil (injection) interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.

Brand Names

• EDEX ®

Look-Alike Drug Names

• A® — B®

Drug Shortage Status

Price

References

The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.

{{#subobject:

 |Page Name=Alprostadil (injection)
 |Pill Name=No image.jpg
 |Drug Name=
 |Pill Ingred=|+sep=;
 |Pill Imprint=
 |Pill Dosage={{{dosageValue}}} {{{dosageUnit}}}
 |Pill Color=|+sep=;
 |Pill Shape=
 |Pill Size (mm)=
 |Pill Scoring=
 |Pill Image=
 |Drug Author=
 |NDC=

}}

{{#subobject:

 |Label Page=Alprostadil (injection)
 |Label Name=Alprostadil (injection)11.png

}}

{{#subobject:

 |Label Page=Alprostadil (injection)
 |Label Name=Alprostadil (injection)11.png

}}