How do prostaglandin E1 analogues work?
Prostaglandin E1 analogues are a class of medication that includes the medication alprostadil (Caverject® and MUSE®). Alprostadil works by mimicking prostaglandin, a chemical in the penis that begins the chemical “cascade” that normally causes an erection due to the signal from the brain. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the penis and produce an erection. The advantage of using alprostadil is that this medication bypasses the need for an intact nervous system between the brain and the penis. Alprostadil is either injected directly into the penis using a very fine needle, or is inserted, in the form of a tiny pellet, into the end of the urethra (a tube that carries semen and urine through the penis) at the tip of the penis. Caverject® is the injectable preparation and MUSE® is the pellet form. So, after injecting or inserting alprostadil, an erection occurs in a few minutes? Yes. Does this mean that the man needs no sexual stimulation to have a
