Thanks to Viagra, the term “erectile dysfunction” or ED has become a household word. But despite the popularity of this drug and similar pills, older approaches to treating erection difficulties can be both effective and cost-effective.
Q. You have occasionally gotten questions about Viagra being expensive. Some men would like a different treatment for erectile dysfunction.
I suggest talking to a urologist about alprostadil or TriMix. I have found alprostadil to be very helpful.
I pay $90 for a supply (10 ml) that lasts us half a year, with a frequency of twice a week. At $2.25 per dose that is way less than Viagra or other ED drugs. It has to be kept in the refrigerator.
One injection produces an erection that lasts for an hour. This is mostly good, but it could be embarrassing if the house caught fire or guests came to visit.
A. Alprostadil is a prostaglandin, PGE-1, that is quite effective for erectile dysfunction. TriMix includes papaverine and phentolamine along with alprostadil. Either of these prescriptions can be purchased from a compounding pharmacy, since brand-name alprostadil (Caverject, Edex) is about as pricey as erectile dysfunction (ED) pills.
These drugs work through smooth muscle relaxation. This allows blood to flow into the penis, creating an erection.
Pills for ED cost roughly $20 to $40 per dose. Depending on the compounding pharmacy, TriMix could cost as little as $3 to $6 a dose, making it much less expensive.
Instruction Needed
It is important to have the urologist give clear instructions on injection. Although it is not supposed to be painful, it must be done properly to minimize the risk of Peyronie’s disease as a complication. In this condition, the erect penis curves, making relations difficult.
