Caverject Impulse (Alprostadil (Prostaglandin E1))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Caverject Impulse Used For?
Caverject Impulse contains alprostadil, a substance naturally found in your body that helps treat problems with getting or maintaining an erection.
Primary Uses
Caverject Impulse is prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (inability to maintain an erection for sexual intercourse). It may also be used by doctors to help diagnose erectile dysfunction.
How It Works
Caverject Impulse works by increasing blood flow to your penis. The increased blood flows into the spongy erectile tissue called the corpora cavernosa. When these chambers fill with blood, they swell and your penis becomes erect. The injection should produce an erection within 5 to 20 minutes that lasts about 30 to 60 minutes.
Good to know: Alprostadil is a substance naturally found in many parts of your body
How to Take Caverject Impulse
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you and must properly train you in the injection technique before you use Caverject Impulse at home.
Dosage Instructions
Use Caverject Impulse no more than once in a 24-hour period and not more than 3 times per week. The medication is injected into the side of your penis (corpus cavernosum) at a 90-degree angle. You must alternate injection sites each time – use one side for this injection, the other side next time. The syringe device is for single use only and should be discarded after one injection.
Preparation Steps
Wash hands thoroughly, connect the needle, remove caps, mix the powder and liquid by turning the plunger clockwise, remove air bubbles, dial your dose, clean the injection site with alcohol swab, insert the needle completely, push plunger firmly, withdraw needle and apply pressure for at least 5 minutes, then massage the penis to help spread the medication.
Important: Do not use any mixture left in the syringe for a second injection. Do not use the needle if it is bent.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Bruising, redness, swelling, bleeding or itching at injection site
- Localized pain (buttocks, leg, genital, back or pelvis)
- Pain in penis during erection
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting
- Increased sweating
- Leg cramps
- Frequent urination or difficulty urinating
- Yeast infection
- Skin rash, redness, irritation, itching
- Increased pain sensitivity
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Changes in heartbeat or palpitations
- Changes in blood pressure
- Prolonged erection lasting 4 to 6 hours
- Inflammation of the head of the penis
- Tight foreskin
- Hardened areas at injection site that can cause penis curvature
- Abnormal or painful ejaculation
- Swelling, redness, pain of the scrotum
- Testis disorders (pain, warmth, swelling, thickening)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Caverject Impulse should not be used.
Who Should Not Take Caverject Impulse
Do not use if you are allergic to alprostadil or any ingredients, have a scarred or curved penis, experience painful erections (Peyronie’s disease), have a penile implant, have certain blood conditions like leukemia, multiple myeloma, or sickle cell anemia, have abnormal thickening of penis tissues, or have been advised not to have sex. Not for use in women, children, or newborns.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions, all medicines you take, and if your partner intends to become pregnant. If you have blood-transmissible diseases like hepatitis B, there could be a higher chance of passing them to your partner through injection site bleeding.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor or your partner’s obstetrician if your partner becomes pregnant while you are using Caverject Impulse.
Emergency Warning: Contact your doctor immediately if your erection lasts more than 4 hours. This can be painful and may require medical treatment.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Caverject Impulse works.
Important: Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including those bought without prescription
- Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) such as heparin or warfarin – increased bleeding risk at injection site
Alcohol & Driving
Caverject Impulse may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Caverject Impulse affects you.
Storage
Store Caverject Impulse in a cool, dry place below 25°C. Do not freeze or refrigerate. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on windowsills. Keep away from children. During travel, avoid temperatures above 25°C or below 2-8°C. After mixing the powder and liquid, use immediately or store in refrigerator at 2-8°C for no more than 24 hours. Do not freeze the dissolved solution.
Overdose Information
If you use too much Caverject Impulse, your erection may last longer than medically safe and require medical intervention. Immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Always bring the medicine packaging with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Caverject Impulse should produce an erection within 5 to 20 minutes after injection, and the erection should last about 30 to 60 minutes.
You should use Caverject Impulse no more than once in a 24-hour period and not more than 3 times per week.
Contact your doctor immediately if your erection lasts more than 4 hours. Tell your doctor if it lasts more than 1 hour, as your dose may need to be reduced.
No, the syringe device is for single use only. Do not use any mixture left in the syringe for a second injection. Dispose of all materials safely after use.
Do not use a bent needle for injection. Do not try to straighten it. Remove the bent needle, discard it, and attach a new sterile needle to the syringe.
No, Caverject Impulse offers no protection from sexually transmitted diseases or HIV/AIDS. You should use appropriate protection against these diseases.
Only inject into the sides of your penis as shown by your doctor. If you accidentally inject into the urethra (tube that carries urine), some blood may appear in your urine or at the end of your penis.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.