Alprostadil
Widens blood vessels; injected or inserted to treat erectile dysfunction, and used to keep a newborn's ductus arteriosus open.
FDA-approved (e.g. Caverject, Edex); prescription-only.
Look it up on Wikipedia2 listings across 1 independently tested vendor, ranked by price per milligram after coupon codes anyone can use. Vendors you can only order from by message are hidden.
FDA-approved (Caverject, Edex, Muse); also a common ingredient in compounded erectile-dysfunction injections.
Daily price tracking started October 7, 2026; a price-history chart appears here once a few days have been collected.
| Vendor | Trust | Listing | Vials | Price | Per mg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC #69 by metascore |
Alprostadil 20mcg | 20-Vial Kit | Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) Vasodilator | 20 × 20 mcg = 0.4 mg | $470.00 $23.50 per vial |
$1,175.00 | Buy | |
Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC #69 by metascore |
Alprostadil 20mcg | 10-Vial Kit | Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) Vasodilator | 10 × 20 mcg = 0.2 mg | $260.00 $26.00 per vial |
$1,300.00 | Buy |
Mixing a 0.02 mg vial
What each common amount of bacteriostatic water gives you on a U-100 insulin syringe. Pick a vial size above to change it.
| Water | Strength | Per 10 units (0.1 mL) | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 0.02 mg/mL | 2 mcg | 0.2 mcg |
| 2 mL | 0.01 mg/mL | 1 mcg | 0.1 mcg |
| 3 mL | 0.007 mg/mL | 0.7 mcg | 0.07 mcg |
| 5 mL | 0.004 mg/mL | 0.4 mcg | 0.04 mcg |
Doses studied in research Approved drug
What was given to people (or animals) in published studies and official labels, each linked to its source. This is not a recommendation: study products, purity and supervision differ from research-grade vials.
Label dosing is titrated in the prescriber's office: initial intracavernosal dose 2.5 mcg (vasculogenic, psychogenic or mixed cause) or 1.25 mcg (pure neurogenic cause, e.g. spinal cord injury), increased in steps to the lowest dose giving an erection suitable for intercourse lasting no more than 1 hour; no more than 3 injections weekly with at least 24 hours between doses; doses above 60 mcg not recommended (intracavernosal injection)
Official labelcontinuous intravenous infusion beginning at 0.05 to 0.1 micrograms/kg/minute, reduced after response to the lowest rate that maintains it (0.05, 0.025, 0.01 micrograms/kg/minute); up to 0.4 micrograms/kg/minute if response is inadequate (intravenous infusion (hospital use))
Official label| Who was studied | Dose given | How often | For how long | What happened | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| men with erectile dysfunction of vasculogenic, neurogenic, psychogenic or mixed cause (three multicentre studies) n = 1180 |
2.5 to 20 microg per injection (dose-response study); individually titrated doses in a 6-month self-injection study intracavernosal | per sexual episode | up to 6 months | all doses superior to placebo with a dose-response relation; sexual activity possible after 94% of self-injections; penile pain in 50% of men, prolonged erection 5%, priapism 1% | PubMed |
| men aged 27-82 with organic erectile dysfunction n = 234 |
125, 250 or 500 microg alprostadil, alone or with prazosin transurethral | random sequence of 7 single doses in clinic | 4 weeks | 500 microg gave full enlargement or rigidity in 51.8% of administrations vs 2.7% with placebo | PubMed |
| men with long-standing, mainly organic erectile dysfunction n = 68 |
125, 250, 500 and 1000 micrograms plus placebo, in random sequence transurethral | single at-home doses | 2-4 weeks | 75.4% achieved full enlargement and 49.2% an erection sufficient for intercourse; penile pain with 9.1-18.3% of administrations | PubMed |
| men with erectile dysfunction (double-blind crossover) n = 45 |
5 or 10 micrograms vs placebo; 20 micrograms open-label if unsatisfactory intracavernosal | single in-clinic injections | single-dose crossover | 68.8% responded to at least one alprostadil injection; 10 micrograms effective in 55.5% | PubMed |
| men with organic erectile dysfunction, randomised intracavernosal vs intraurethral n = 60 |
20 microg intracavernosal PGE1 or 1 mg intraurethral (MUSE) intracavernosal or intraurethral | per sexual episode at home | 3 months | good erection in clinic in 90% (injection) vs 60% (urethral); intercourse after 85% vs 55% of administrations; urogenital pain 47% vs 7% | PubMed |
Approved doses differ greatly by route and indication: micrograms by penile injection, hundreds of micrograms by urethral pellet, and weight-based intravenous infusion in newborns. The MUSE urethral product is not currently listed on DailyMed.
What the research says
Alprostadil (synthetic prostaglandin E1) is an approved erectile dysfunction treatment backed by multiple placebo-controlled human RCTs and a meta-analysis; injected into the penis it produces usable erections in most men, while urethral and topical forms are less effective but better tolerated. Penile pain is the most common side effect, with prolonged erection, priapism and penile fibrosis as less common risks.
Key papers ✓ 5~ 2
-
Efficacy and safety of intracavernosal alprostadil in men with erectile dysfunction. The Alprostadil Study Group.Humanssize not reportedRandomizedPlacebo-controlledSix months (self-injection study)Three multi-institutional prospective studies (dose-response vs placebo, dose-finding, self-injection)
NEJM studies in over 1,100 men with ED: intracavernosal alprostadil outperformed placebo with a dose-response; in a 6-month self-injection study (683 men) sexual activity was possible after 94% of injections.
Key resultSexual activity possible after 94 percent of injections; rated satisfactory after 87 and 86 percent by men and partners; penile pain in 50 percent of men, priapism in 1 percent
Study details
- Studied
- Men with erectile dysfunction of vasculogenic, neurogenic, psychogenic and mixed causes
- Compared with
- Placebo (dose-response study)
- Main outcome
- Erection and satisfactory sexual activity rated by men and partners
- Sample
- Three studies: dose-response 296 men, dose-finding 201 men, six-month self-injection 683 men
- Authors' conclusion
- Intracavernosal alprostadil injection is an effective therapy for erectile dysfunction with tolerable side effects.
- Limitations
- Only the dose-response study was placebo-controlled.
-
The effect of topical and intraurethral alprostadil on erectile function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Humans5,869 peopleSystematic review and meta-analysis, random-effects model (PROSPERO registered)
Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs and 4 non-randomized studies (5,869 men): topical alprostadil improved IIEF score by 4.7 points vs placebo and intraurethral alprostadil also improved ED vs placebo; study quality was low and heterogeneity high.
Key resultTopical alprostadil improved IIEF by 4.7 points (95% CI: 2.4-7.1, I2 = 97%); intraurethral pooled odds ratio 0.08 (95% CI: 0.04-0.16, I2 = 54%)
Study details
- Studied
- Men with erectile dysfunction (mean age 60 ± 9.4 years)
- Compared with
- Placebo
- Main outcome
- IIEF score (topical); erectile dysfunction improvement (intraurethral)
- Sample
- 11 randomized controlled trials and 4 non-randomized studies, 5869 patients
- Authors' conclusion
- Topical and intraurethral alprostadil significantly improve ED symptoms vs placebo and are generally safe with no serious adverse events; further trials are needed.
- Limitations
- Study design variability, few studies and low methodological quality; very high heterogeneity for topical (I2 = 97%).
-
A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the erectile response to transurethral alprostadil.Humans68 peopleRandomizedPlacebo-controlledDouble-blind2 to 4 weeksProspective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled; random sequence of four doses and placebo at home
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 68 men with organic ED: with transurethral alprostadil 49% achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse and 64% reported intercourse; no priapism.
Key result75.4% (49 of 65) achieved full penile enlargement, 49.2% (32 of 65) achieved an erection sufficient for intercourse; 63.6% (42 of 66) reported intercourse
Study details
- Studied
- Men with long-standing (mean 41 months) erectile dysfunction of primarily organic etiology
- Compared with
- Placebo
- Main outcome
- Erectile response and intercourse
- Sample
- 68 men enrolled; 65-66 evaluable for outcomes
- Authors' conclusion
- Short-term transurethral alprostadil produced erections leading to intercourse in most patients with chronic ED and may be a useful option.
- Limitations
- Short-term treatment; penile pain in 9.1% to 18.3% of administrations.
-
Intracavernous alprostadil alfadex is more efficacious, better tolerated, and preferred over intraurethral alprostadil plus optional actis: a comparative, randomized, crossover, multicenter study.Humans111 peopleRandomizedOpen-labelCrossover, randomized, open-label multicenter study
Randomized crossover trial in 111 men: injected alprostadil gave erections sufficient for intercourse after 82.5% of uses vs 53.0% for intraurethral alprostadil, and was preferred by patients.
Key resultPatients with at least one erection sufficient for intercourse: 92.6% with EDEX vs 61.8% with MUSE (P <0.0001)
Study details
- Studied
- Patients with erectile dysfunction of at least 6 months' duration
- Compared with
- Intraurethral alprostadil (MUSE) plus optional ACTIS
- Main outcome
- Erections sufficient for intercourse, safety, patient preference
- Sample
- 111 patients
- Authors' conclusion
- Intracavernous injection was more efficacious, better tolerated and preferred, so it should be offered first-choice if oral therapy fails or is contraindicated.
- Limitations
- Open-label design.
-
Intracavernosal versus intraurethral alprostadil: a prospective randomized study.Humans60 peopleRandomized3 monthsProspective randomized study with 3-month home treatment
60 men randomized to injected vs intraurethral alprostadil: injection worked better (intercourse after 85% vs 55% of doses) but caused more pain (47% vs 7%) and a 67% withdrawal rate.
Key resultGood erection in outpatient dosing: 27 (90%) intracavernosal vs 18 (60%) MUSE (P<0.05); withdrawal 67% vs 17% (P<0.05)
Study details
- Studied
- Men with organic erectile dysfunction
- Compared with
- MUSE 1 mg intraurethral alprostadil
- Main outcome
- Erection response, intercourse, adverse reactions, ease of use
- Sample
- 60 men randomized (30 per group)
- Authors' conclusion
- MUSE is less effective than intracavernosal PGE1 but is more accepted as an easy method with minimal or no discomfort.
- Limitations
- High withdrawal in the injection group (10 of 30 completed).
-
Recovery of spontaneous erectile function after nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy with and without early intracavernous injections of alprostadil: results of a prospective, randomized trial.Humans30 peopleRandomized12 weeks of treatment; 6-month follow-upProspective randomized trial; alprostadil injections 3 times per week vs observation
30 men after nerve-sparing prostatectomy: 12 weeks of alprostadil injections led to more recovery of spontaneous erections at 6 months (67% vs 20% with observation).
Key result8 patients (67%) in the alprostadil group vs 3 patients (20%) in the control group recovered spontaneous erections (p <0.01)
Study details
- Studied
- Potent men with localized prostate cancer after nerve-sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy
- Compared with
- Observation without erectogenic treatment
- Main outcome
- Recovery of spontaneous erections sufficient for intercourse
- Sample
- 30 potent patients (15 per group)
- Authors' conclusion
- Early postoperative alprostadil injections significantly increased recovery of spontaneous erections after nerve-sparing prostatectomy.
- Limitations
- Small trial; only 12 of 15 treated patients completed the schedule; no blinding or placebo.
-
Safety and efficacy of alprostadil sterile powder (S. Po., CAVERJECT) in diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction.Humans31 peopleNo control group6 months home phaseSingle-group long-term self-injection study with dose titration
31 diabetic men with ED on 6 months of home injections: 76.5% of injections gave satisfactory sexual activity, but penile pain affected 61% and about half dropped out.
Key resultSatisfactory sexual activity after 76.5% of injections (patient-assessed) and 72.5% (partner-assessed); penile pain in 19 (61%) of 31 patients; 16 patients dropped out
Study details
- Studied
- Diabetic men aged 44-75 with erectile dysfunction of at least 4 months
- Main outcome
- Efficacy and adverse events of intracavernosal alprostadil
- Sample
- 31 diabetic men
- Authors' conclusion
- Despite high penile pain incidence and higher withdrawal, intracavernosal alprostadil is relatively effective and safe in some diabetic patients if dose is titrated and they are trained.
- Limitations
- No control group; high dropout (16 of 31).
Reported side effects
- commonPenile pain [ref] [ref] [ref] [ref] [ref]
- uncommonHematoma or ecchymosis at injection site [ref]
- uncommonProlonged erection [ref] [ref] [ref]
- uncommonPenile fibrosis / nodule [ref] [ref] [ref]
- rarePriapism [ref]
- reportedPenile erythema (topical/intraurethral) [ref]
40 registered human trials (3 active)
✓ positive · ✗ negative · ~ mixed · ? inconclusive, judged on each paper's own main outcome. Grades: A strong human evidence → D little or none. Papers and verdicts are drawn from PubMed, Europe PMC and Russian journals (CyberLeninka); not medical advice.
Registered clinical trials 40 on ClinicalTrials.gov · 3 active · 11 completed · 5 with posted results
All 40 Alprostadil trials, with countries and summaries · Search ClinicalTrials.gov · Recruiting trials for every peptide
Discussions elsewhere
Experiences and questions about Alprostadil on other sites. Treat anecdotes with care.
Alprostadil: questions people ask
What is Alprostadil?
Prostaglandin E1 (not a peptide). Widens blood vessels; injected or inserted to treat erectile dysfunction, and used to keep a newborn's ductus arteriosus open.
How much does Alprostadil cost?
The cheapest Alprostadil from an independently tested vendor is $1,175.00 per mg (Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC, Alprostadil 20mcg | 20-Vial Kit | Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) Vasodilator, $470.00). Across 2 listings from 1 vendors the median is $1,300.00 per mg.
Where can I buy Alprostadil?
1 vendors tested by Finnrick sell Alprostadil. The cheapest per mg right now: Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC ($1,175.00). 0 of them publish a lab report (COA) for Alprostadil; compare lab scores and reports in the table above before buying.
Is Alprostadil FDA approved?
FDA-approved (e.g. Caverject, Edex); prescription-only.
Can Alprostadil be compounded in the US?
FDA-approved (Caverject, Edex, Muse); also a common ingredient in compounded erectile-dysfunction injections. Compounding status for every peptide.
Does Alprostadil work? What does the research say?
Evidence grade A (strong human evidence), from 7 papers: Approved ED drug: placebo-controlled RCTs in over 1,100 men plus a meta-analysis of 11 RCTs consistently show erections improve, injection more than urethral forms. Alprostadil (synthetic prostaglandin E1) is an approved erectile dysfunction treatment backed by multiple placebo-controlled human RCTs and a meta-analysis; injected into the penis it produces usable erections in most men, while urethral and topical forms are less effective but better tolerated. Penile pain is the most common side effect, with prolonged erection, priapism and penile fibrosis as less common risks. See the papers.
Are there clinical trials of Alprostadil?
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 40 registered trials of Alprostadil: 3 active, 11 completed, 5 in phase 3, 5 with posted results. Examples: ALP-1 Continuous Intravenous Infusion to Maintain Clinical Stability in Advanced Heart Failure (Not yet recruiting, Phase 3, 600 people); Comparing MOP, Prostaglandin E1, and Calcitriol to Accelerate Orthodontic Tooth Movement (Recruiting, Phase 2, 60 people); Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as Terapeutical Option in Erectil Disfunction (DE) (Enrolling by invitation, 60 people).
What dose of Alprostadil was used in studies?
Alprostadil is an approved drug. Caverject: Label dosing is titrated in the prescriber's office: initial intracavernosal dose 2.5 mcg (vasculogenic, psychogenic or mixed cause) or 1.25 mcg (pure neurogenic cause, e.g. spinal cord injury), increased in steps to the lowest dose giving an erection suitable for intercourse lasting no more than 1 hour; no more than 3 injections weekly with at least 24 hours between doses; doses above 60 mcg not recommended; Prostin VR Pediatric: continuous intravenous infusion beginning at 0.05 to 0.1 micrograms/kg/minute, reduced after response to the lowest rate that maintains it (0.05, 0.025, 0.01 micrograms/kg/minute); up to 0.4 micrograms/kg/minute if response is inadequate; men with erectile dysfunction of vasculogenic, neurogenic, psychogenic or mixed cause (three multicentre studies): 2.5 to 20 microg per injection (dose-response study); individually titrated doses in a 6-month self-injection study per sexual episode. These are amounts used in published studies or official labels, not a recommendation.
What are the side effects of Alprostadil?
Reported in the research: Penile pain; Hematoma or ecchymosis at injection site; Prolonged erection; Penile fibrosis / nodule; Priapism.