Prostaglandin E1 with phentolamine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

AIM OF THE STUDY: to evaluate the feasibility of a self-injection programme for impotence with a combination of 10 micrograms prostaglandine E1 (PGE1) and 0.5 mg phentolamine. METHOD: follow-up at outpatients department with history taking, physical examination and questionnaires of 58 patients using this combination. Many patients could compare this drug combination with previously used drugs for intracavernous use. RESULTS: 42 patients started regular use. After a follow-up of 14 months, 26 are still on the programme. Drug related problems encountered: 10 patients reported insufficient erectile response, five patients have had priapism, four patients experienced severe pain, one patient developed fibrosis. CONCLUSION: the combination of PGE1 and phentolamine is very effective. The complication rate is comparable with those reported from PGE1 alone and from papaverine with phentolamine.