Natural and Herbal Cream Alternatives for ED Support
Taking alprostadil in combination with Viagra or other similar drugs may increase toxic effects.
In the journals
You may continue to have an erection after you sex pills for women orgasm, but it should go away within an hour. Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if: You develop a painful curve when you have an erection. Your erection lasts longer than two hours. You have swelling or pain in your testicles, perineum or legs. Veins in your legs start to swell. The most common complication includes a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. Without proper treatment, it can cause permanent damage to your penile tissue.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis Black | 80mg | 360 + 20 Pills | 639.78€ 609.31€ | |
| Levitra Soft Tabs | 20mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 398.14€ 379.18€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 50 mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 281.13€ 267.74€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 425.45€ 405.19€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 2.5mg | 270 + 10 Pills | 199.64€ 190.13€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 330.21€ 314.49€ | |
| Cialis Soft Tabs | 20mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 248.64€ 236.80€ | |
| Cialis Black | 80mg | 30 + 2 Pills | 89.11€ 84.87€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 21 Sachets | 78.66€ 74.91€ | |
| Kamagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 180.59€ 171.99€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 20 Pills | 81.30€ 77.43€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 158.82€ 151.26€ | |
| Priligy Generic Dapoxetine | 60mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 494.76€ 471.20€ | |
| Kamagra | 100mg | 12 Pills | 55.64€ 52.99€ |
The average cost of alprostadil is over $500 for a 5-milliliter (teaspoon size) vial. The cost per dose depends on how much you need to inject, which varies from person to person. The lower the volume that you need to inject, the more doses per vial you’ll get, which makes it cheaper per dose. The cost of alprostadil may also depend on: The pharmacy where you pick up your prescription. Alprostadil can help treat erectile dysfunction and improve your sex life. ED can cause a lot of different feelings — frustration, embarrassment, shame and even humiliation. You may even experience these feelings when you seek help from a healthcare provider.
| Method | Typical Dosage/Use Frequency | Application Area | Additional Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topical Creams | Apply 2-3 times daily | Penis shaft and glans | Wash hands after application |
| Gel Application | Use a pea-sized amount | Penile surface | Avoid contact with eyes |
| Ointments | Once before sexual activity | Penile skin | Conduct patch test beforehand |
| Spray | As needed | External genital area | Avoid inhalation, wash hands afterward |
But ED is common, and providers are available to help you and make you as comfortable as possible with your questions and concerns. Ask a provider if alprostadil is the best treatment for you or if another medication is better. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
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Healthcare providers usually prescribe alprostadil to help treat ED by increasing blood flow inside your penis, which helps you maintain an erection. You might take alprostadil if pills to treat ED don’t work or cause side effects. This medication is considered the next step up in therapy. Before taking alprostadil, tell your doctor if you: Have had an allergic reaction to alprostadil. Have allergies to foods, preservatives or dyes.
Key Takeaways
Are taking any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including herbal or dietary supplements. Have a history of painful, long-lasting erections (priapism). Have any medical conditions, including congenital conditions (abnormalities since birth) that affect your penis, severe curvature when you have an erection (Peyronie’s disease), a penile infection or a condition that slows down your blood flow (such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, sickle cell disease or essential thrombocythemia). You may inject alprostadil by itself or as a mix with other medications to increase its effectiveness. Names for the alprostadil mix may include Bimix, Trimix and Quadmix.
Consulting a Healthcare Professional
As a single ingredient, alprostadil comes in powder form. You must mix it with a liquid before you inject it into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. It’s important to know that there isn’t one set dose for alprostadil. You may need to gradually adjust the dosage according to how your body responds. It may take some time to find the right dose. Alprostadil (Injectable and Transurethral) ( Updated 8/3/2021. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
- Scientific research on topical ED creams continues to evolve.
- They are sometimes marketed as "herbal" or "natural" but verification is needed.
- The choice of cream depends on individual health, preference, and doctor advice.
- Proper application technique can maximize blood flow enhancement.
- Regular use may require monitoring for skin reactions.
At Cleveland Clinic, we offer specialty care that’s focused on you. We understand that patients often have questions about any new treatments they take. This FAQ is meant to supplement your advice and recommendation, providing further clinical information on the efficacy and safety of Eroxon®. Eroxon® is the first and only FDA-cleared, topical, OTC product to help treat erectile dysfunction (ED). It’s fast-acting and offers a safe treatment option for both patients and their partners.
| Medication Type | Possible Interaction | Risk Level | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate medications (for heart) | Increased risk of severe hypotension | High | Do not use without doctor consultation |
| Blood pressure medications | Potential blood pressure changes | Moderate | Consult healthcare provider |
| Other hormonal therapies | Altered hormone balance | Moderate | Medical supervision required |
| Antidepressants | Possible worsening of side effects or reduced efficacy | Low to moderate | Talk to doctor before use |
Below, we’ve provided clear, comprehensive information about how Eroxon® works, its benefits, and how it should be used.
Beyond Creams: A Holistic Approach to Men’s Health
If a healthcare provider prescribes injectable alprostadil, they’ll teach you how to use it. You inject alprostadil into the side of your penis. Transurethral alprostadil is a type of suppository. You insert a tiny tablet or pellet into your urethra (the tube in your penis through which pee comes out of your body). It gradually breaks down inside your urethra and absorbs into your body.
Sex therapy
Studies show that transurethral alprostadil is less effective. There’s also a greater association with pain in your penis and burning. Topical alprostadil comes in the form of a cream or gel. You apply it to the end of your penis before sexual intercourse. However, topical alprostadil doesn’t have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
Ingredients and Potential Allergies
It isn’t available in the U.S. as of yet. It’s important that you follow your alprostadil directions carefully. You shouldn’t use injectable alprostadil more than two to three times per week. You should wait at least 24 hours between each time you use it. Objective: To repeat a previous study on the use of a topical treatment for erectile failure using a vasoactive cream. Patients and methods: Fourteen patients with erectile failure who had previously responded to intracorporeal injection therapy were enrolled in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. They were given two topical applications, comprising either a cream containing aminophylline, isosorbide dinitrate and co-dergocrine mesylate, or a placebo cream of similar appearance containing no pharmacologically active ingredients.
Who Should Avoid Topical ED Creams?
Avoid using transurethral alprostadil more than twice every 24 hours. You should be able to get an erection within five to 20 minutes of taking injectable alprostadil. Transurethral alprostadil should start to work within 10 minutes. Alprostadil isn’t a cure for erectile dysfunction. But when you use it correctly, it’s a safe, effective, long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Why Choose Creams Over Other Treatments?
Many people choose to use alprostadil for a long time. The primary benefit of alprostadil is that it helps you to get and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It causes an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse in about 80% of men. Very rarely, injectable alprostadil may also cause a penile infection. Your erection should last between 30 minutes and an hour. Each patient received 16 applications, eight of the active cream and eight placebo. The creams were applied alternatively on successive occasions and the results recorded. Results: The active cream, applied on 77 occasions, resulted in three good and 13 partial erections. The placebo cream, applied on 76 occasions, yielded four good and 13 partial erections.
- Topical ED creams may prevent some cardiovascular risks linked to pills.
- Always consult a healthcare provider before using ED creams.
- Some creams require refrigeration and proper storage.
- Edible or penetrative products are not replaced by topical creams.
- Regular follow-up with a doctor enhances treatment safety.
Conclusions: We were unable to reproduce the successful results reported by others; in the present study the active cream performed no better than placebo.
| Ingredient | Onset Time | Duration of Effect | Factors Influencing Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-arginine | 15-30 minutes | 1-2 hours | Blood flow efficiency, skin absorption |
| Yohimbine | 20-40 minutes | 1-3 hours | Dosage, individual metabolism |
| Ginseng Extract | 30-60 minutes | 2-4 hours | Concentration, skin condition |
| Maca Root | Variable, hours | Several hours | Consistency of application, physical activity |
Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing Men will soon have a new option for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) that supposedly works faster than regular ED medication — and is available without a prescription. In June, the FDA approved the over-the-counter sale of MED3000 (Eroxon), a topical gel treatment for ED. MED3000 is supplied in single-use tubes. The contents are rubbed onto the head of the penis immediately before sexual intercourse.
Other ED Treatments
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Vitaros©/Virirec© (Alprostadil Cream) for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction . National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases. Long-Term, Multicenter Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Alprostadil Cream in Male Patients with Erectile Dysfunction. Alprostadil is a medication that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction. There are two main types: a solution that you inject directly into your penis and a suppository that you insert into your urethra.
Full Text Sources
Side effects aren’t common, but may include an allergic reaction, pain and bruising. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Alprostadil is a type of vasodilator that healthcare providers most commonly prescribe to treat erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence).
Lifestyle Changes to Support ED Treatment
Vasodilators help increase blood flow through the blood vessels (arteries) by relaxing their walls and making them wider. Alprostadil is identical to a naturally occurring substance in your body that helps keep the blood vessels open. You shouldn’t use alprostadil if you don’t have ED. It’s also unsafe to take more than your healthcare provider recommends. Improper use of alprostadil could cause permanent damage to your penis that prevents you from getting erections. The gel contains a combination of volatile solvents which, when applied to the head of the penis, evaporate rapidly, stimulating nerve endings through an initial cooling effect, followed by a warming sensation.
Understanding Erectile Dysfunction
You develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills or nausea and vomiting. You develop scarring or hard areas on your penis. The alprostadil solution looks cloudy, is a different color or has debris. Go to the nearest emergency room if your erection lasts longer than four hours. No, you shouldn’t combine alprostadil with other oral medications for ED. This reaction releases nitric oxide, relaxing the smooth muscle tissue inside the penis and increasing blood flow that is needed to obtain an erection. Clinical trials found that 65% of men who used MED3000 achieved an erection within 10 minutes and maintained it long enough to have sex. Common prescription ED drugs like tadalafil (Cialis) and sildenafil (Viagra) take around 30 minutes to work. The common side effects of MED3000 were headaches and nausea, but these occurred in only 1% to 3% of men. No side effects were reported among sexual partners. U.S. prices are not yet available, but in the United Kingdom, where Eroxon is already available over-the-counter, the cost is equivalent to about $32 (U.S.) for a four-pack.