title: Erectile response to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Transurethral alprostadil has been shown to be efficacious in many men with erectile dysfunction. We compared transurethral alprostadil and prazosin alone, and in combination to treat this disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind, placebo controlled study the erectile responses to transurethral alprostadil, prazosin and alprostadil-prazosin combinations were assessed in 234 men 26.8 to 81.5 years old with complete organic erectile dysfunction. Patients self-administered a random sequence of 7 doses in the clinic in 4 weeks. The erectile response was assessed using categorical and visual analog scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Full penile enlargement or rigidity was achieved by 165 of the 234 men (70.5%) after at least 1 active dose of medication. The most effective alprostadil dose (500 microg.) resulted in full penile enlargement or rigidity in 51.8% of administrations, whereas the most effective prazosin dose (2,000 microg.) and placebo resulted in a similar response in 12.7 and 2.7%, respectively (p <0.001). The 500/2,000 microg. alprostadil/prazosin combination, which resulted in full enlargement or rigidity in 58.9% of doses, was only slightly better than the most effective dose of alprostadil alone (500 microg.). However, combinations of 125/500 and 250/500 microg. alprostadil/prazosin were more effective (p <0.01) than 125 and 250 microg. alprostadil given alone, respectively. The most common side effect of therapy was penile pain, which rarely led to study discontinuation. Hypotension most commonly developed at the higher alprostadil-prazosin combination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transurethral alprostadil and alprostadil-prazosin combinations produced erections in men with complete organic erectile dysfunction. This combination therapy may be an option in patients who do not respond to transurethral alprostadil alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Research, VIVUS, Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hellstrom
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Nemo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Padma-Nathan
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Place
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Prendergast
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tanagho
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Varady
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gesundheit
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil; D011224:Prazosin