Posted on Wed, Jul 07, 2010 @ 03:41 PM
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection firm enough for sex, on an ongoing basis. Symptoms related to erectile dysfunction may include:
- Trouble getting an erection
- Trouble keeping an erection
- Reduced sexual desire
Erectile dysfunction treatments vary, but one therapy that is recognized by the American Urological Association as being safe and effective is an intracavernous injection of multiple medications (usually referred to as Tri-Mix). A Tri-Mix compound consists of the medications alprostadil, papaverine, and phentolamine. The AUA states, "As monotherapy, alprostadil is the most popular vasoactive agent; however, combination therapy with other vasoactive drugs (Bi-Mix and Tri-Mix) can either increase efficacy or reduce side effects" -(AUA Guideline on the Management of Erectile Dysfunction)
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A Tri-Mix penile injection needs to be compounded by a specialty pharmacy. Bayview Pharmacy, Rhode Island's premier Tri-Mix injectable compounding pharmacy, has the ability to compound Tri-Mix, as a sterile injectable solution. As a leading Tri-Mix injection compounding pharmacy, our solutions for injection are compounded under the stringent USP <797> guidelines for sterile compounding.
An example of how you might prescribe follows:
Compounded Medication
Alprostadil 10mcg + Papaverine 30mg + Phentolamine 1mg
Sterile Injection Solution
5ml
Inject 0.2ml to 1ml as directed
Tri-Mix for ED can be costly, but Bayview Pharmacy is a unique compounding pharmacy - in that we bill prescription drug insurances. We also have the ability to ship medications via UPS.
For more information, please contact Ryan Dyer, RPh./Owner, M-F 9-6pm @ 401-284-4505, or fill out the "Ask the Pharmacist" form on our "About Prescription Compounding / Bayview Pharmacy" page.
Posted on Fri, Sep 18, 2009 @ 11:20 AM
Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called "impotence," is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. The word "impotence" may also be used to describe other problems that interfere with sexual intercourse and reproduction, such as lack of sexual desire and problems with ejaculation or orgasm. Using the term erectile dysfunction makes it clear that those other problems are not involved.
Although it can be embarrassing to talk with your doctor about sexual issues, seeking help for erectile dysfunction can be worth the effort. Erectile dysfunction treatments ranging from medications to surgery can help restore sexual function for most men. Sometimes erectile dysfunction is caused by an underlying condition such as heart disease. So it's important to take erectile trouble seriously because it can be a sign of a more serious health problem.
Drugs for treating ED can be taken orally, injected directly into the penis, or inserted into the urethra at the tip of the penis. In 1998, Viagra (sildenafil), became the first pill to treat ED. Since that time, other oral medications like vardenafil have also come to the market. While oral medicines improve the response to sexual stimulation, they do not trigger an automatic erection as injections do.
Many men achieve stronger erections by injecting drugs into the penis, causing it to become engorged with blood. Drugs such as papaverine, phentolamine, and alprostadil widen blood vessels. These drugs can be combined together into a generic injectable commonly referred to as "Tri-Mix".
The New York Times recently published an ED article and noted that, "Although this generic combination is not F.D.A.-approved as an E.D. treatment, doctors are legally free to administer it - and both Dr. Sharlip and Dr. McCullough recommend it.
"The generic injections clearly work the best," Dr. Sharlip said, "and are usually less expensive."
The pharmacists at Bayview Pharmacy have the ability to compound several unique injectables (such as "Tri-Mix"), as well as urethral gels, that may help to treat erectile dysfunction. These medications would be custom made to meet your individual needs, because Bayview Pharmacy specializes in prescription compounding.
To find out more contact Bayview Pharmacy and ask to speak with Ryan Dyer, RPh., about treatments for erectile dysfunction.