Caverject is an injection treatment for men with erectile dysfunction. It’s a branded treatment that works a little differently to ED tablets like Viagra and Cialis, so it can be useful for men who’ve tried these and found they haven’t worked very well. Some men who can’t take ED tablets for medical reasons may also be recommended Caverject instead.
There are two types: Caverject (sometimes called Caverject Vials) and Caverject Dual Chamber (sometimes known as Caverject Impulse). With ‘regular’ Caverject, you’ll get a powder and liquid solution which you’ll need to manually mix together when you use it. Caverject Dual Chamber is a little more convenient to use, because the two parts (powder and solution) are contained within the injection and you mix them together by twisting the plunger.
It contains a drug called prostaglandin E1, and this relaxes blood vessels so blood can circulate into the penis more easily. By doing this, it helps to make erections firmer and last for longer.
What are the different dosages of Caverject injection?
You can get Caverject in 10mcg, 20mcg or 40mcg dosage packs, and Caverject Dual Chamber in 10mcg or 20mcg, depending on the country it’s being sold in. The plunger enables you to set the dose so you can apply the exact amount of Caverject the prescriber has recommended.
They’ll likely start you out on the smallest dosage. For many men, this is enough to get the desired results, but you can always talk about increasing the dosage with our clinician if needed.
The starting dosage for Caverject is 1.25 to 2.5mcg. It’s rare that dosages of over 20 mcg will be needed, but tell our prescriber if you don’t feel like these higher strengths are working well.
Treated trusted sources:
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on August 02, 2022. Next review due on August 01, 2024.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CaverjectAlprostadil
How to use Caverject
There are two versions of Caverject: the regular powder and solution pack, also known as Caverject Vials; and Caverject Dual Chamber (or Impulse).
They’re the same treatment but the way they’re prepared and applied is slightly different.
Your first use of Caverject will need to be demonstrated by a nurse or doctor, so you shouldn’t try to do it yourself without having been shown first. The instructions below give an overview of how the treatments are applied, but aren’t comprehensive. You should follow the instructions in the leaflet and those given to you by our clinician closely during use.
Instructions for Caverject Vials (powder for injection)
This pack comes with two needles and a vial to combine the powder and solution.
To prepare the injection:
open the vial and wipe the larger needle
twist it to join the needle itself to the syringe, then remove the cover
put the needle into the top of the vial and push the plunger to start mixing the ingredients, and then give it a good swirl
turn the vial upside down and draw the solution into the syringe by extending the plunger
Instructions for Caverject Impulse
The injection and solution is contained within the syringe with Caverject Dual Chamber, so you don’t need to manually mix it.
Take out one injection device and needle.
Fix the needle to the device and turn it clockwise until it’s firmly on.
Remove the outer protective cap.
Holding the device pointing upwards, with the plunger rod fully out, twist the plunger rod to mix the powder and solution together.
Gently shake to dissolve the powder.
Remove the inner needle cap. If the needle is bent, don’t use it and replace it with another one.
Flick the pen to remove any bubbles.
Fully turn the plunger rod so it is rotated as far as it will go and immediately push it in.
Turn the plunger rod to set the recommended dose.
You then have 24 hours to use the injection.
How to inject Caverject
Tap the syringe to remove any air bubbles.
Set the dose your prescriber has recommended by pushing the plunger to the correct amount.
Make sure the needle isn’t bent. If it is, don’t use it and attach a new one.
Take hold of your penis with your fingers underneath and thumb on top and gently apply pressure so the injection site at the base of the penis bulges out.
Maintain a firm grip and push the needle into the penis, making sure to avoid any veins or blood vessels.
Push the plunger to deliver the dose.
If the liquid doesn’t come out easily, don’t force it. Move the needle very slightly and retry.
Once the dose is delivered, remove the needle from your penis, and apply gauze pad gently to the injection site.Discard the remaining mixture.
Your clinician will be able to show you how to use and mix the Caverject.
This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on August 02, 2022. Next review due on August 01, 2024.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
CaverjectAlprostadil
CaverjectAlprostadil
FAQ: Caverject
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
When would I use Caverject instead of ED pills?
Answer:
Oral treatments for ED like Viagra and Cialis are normally the first choice for men who can take them. But they aren’t suitable for everyone, and while they are generally very effective, they don’t work well for everyone. Caverject can be a useful alternative for men who can’t take pills because it’s applied locally. So there’s no uptake of the drug through the gut; the active ingredient works directly around the penis, reducing the risk of certain types of side effects. The most important thing to know is that if one treatment is ineffective or unsuitable, there are others you can try.
How does Caverject work?
Answer:
As with most erectile dysfunction treatments, Caverject helps blood flow to the penis. ED occurs when blood flow to the penis is restricted or simply not efficient enough to get or maintain an erection. The active ingredient in Caverject, prostaglandin E1 or PGE1, relaxes tight blood vessels so blood can flow into the penis, helping to make erections stronger. Studies have shown that Caverject is also helpful when used long term at helping to restore spontaneous erections. [1]
What are the ingredients in Caverject?
Answer:
The active ingredient in Caverject is alprostadil, which belongs to a group of medications known as prostaglandin E1. Caverject was first approved in the USA in 1994, [2] but Prostaglandin E1, or PGE1 for short, has been used as a treatment for erectile dysfunction for over 40 years. Despite medications such as Viagra being released since its introduction, it remains a popular erectile dysfunction treatment for many due to how effective and safe it is, [3] and its viability for men who can’t take oral ED treatments.
Does Caverject need to be refrigerated?
Answer:
Caverject doesn’t need to be refrigerated as it comes in a powder form you mix together before use. The solution in the Dual Chamber version can be used for 24 hours after being mixed, but the standard vials version needs to be used right away. It should be stored at a temperature of no higher than 25°C and vials of Caverject should be used within three months of it being issued, and before the expiry date.
How long does Caverject take to work, and last for?
Answer:
Caverject should become effective after five minutes and no longer than 20. Your erection should last for up to 60 minutes. Caverject requires some sexual stimulation to work. It isn’t an aphrodisiac, so you may need to engage in sexual activity to see the results. You should never take two doses of Caverject within a 24 hour period or more than three times within a week. If you need to take ED medications more often than this, you might need to try a different treatment. Speak with our clinicians about these options and what might be suitable for you.
What’s the difference between Invicorp and Caverject?
Answer:
They’re both injections, but Caverject is made by Pfizer contains one active ingredient, alprostadil, whereas Invicorp is made by Evolan and contains two active ingredients, aviptadil and phentolamine mesilate. Invicorp does the same thing as Caverject (alprostadil), which is to increase blood flow to the penis that helps you to achieve and maintain an erection. Unlike Caverject, Invicorp needs to be kept in the fridge. But otherwise, the treatments are very similar, becoming effective after a few minutes and lasting for up to an hour.
How is MUSE different to Caverject?
Answer:
Caverject and MUSE are essentially the same medication as both contain alprostadil, but the way they’re applied is different. Unlike Caverject, which is injected into the shaft of the penis, MUSE works by inserting a suppository into the urethra, the hole at the tip of the penis. Both medications get to work after five to 20 minutes and last for up to an hour. But MUSE might be better suited to those who are apprehensive about using needles.
Can you take Viagra and Caverject together?
Answer:
You shouldn’t use more than one ED treatment at a time. One alone should be effective enough, and using several increases the risk of serious side effects significantly. If you use one treatment and find that it doesn’t work well, ask our clinician about switching to something else. There have been studies exploring the combined use of oral and non-oral ED treatments together, [4] but none are currently recommended for ‘combination’ use.
Treated trusted sources:
Brock, G., Tu, L.M. and Linet, O.I. (2001). Return of spontaneous erection during long-term intracavernosal alprostadil (Caverject) treatment. Urology, [online] 57(3), pp.536–541.
Linet, O.I. and Ogrinc, F.G. (1996). Efficacy and Safety of Intracavernosal Alprostadil in Men with Erectile Dysfunction. New England Journal of Medicine, 334(14), pp.873–877.
Nehra, A. (2007). Oral and non-oral combination therapy for erectile dysfunction. Reviews in urology, [online] 9(3), pp.99–105.
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When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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