Alprostadil is the generic name of a medication used for multiple purposes, including the treatment of erectile dysfunction and heart conditions before surgery. Drugs.com suggests that the medication is often administered via injection or penile suppository. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) indicates that pediatric use of alprostadil treats symptoms of pulmonary hypertension in infants who were born with heart defects. Women should not use alprostadil, and UMM warns women to use a condom during intercourse with a man using the medication to prevent contact with the drug. As with any medication, alprostadil has the risk of side effects.
Penile Suppository Side Effects
Specific brands of alprostadil are administered by inserting a suppository inside the urethra of a man's penis. This can cause pain in the penis, burning of the urethra, headache, dizziness or pain in the perineum, as reported by UMM. Female partners may experience vaginal itching after intercourse. Patients using the medication may experience pain in the testicles, bleeding of the urethra, pain in the legs or heartbeat irregularities.
Injection Side Effects
Patients receiving an injection of alprostadil may experience pain, tenderness, itching, redness, bruising or bleeding at the site of the injection. These symptoms are common and considered to be mild unless they become overly painful or persistent, reports Drugs.com. Patients receiving this form of the drug may experience elevated blood pressure, headache, dizziness, a prolonged erection, rash on the penis or swelling of the penis, reports UMM.
Intravenous
UMM reports that side effects of intravenous (IV) administration of the drug alprostadil can cause flushing, fever, apnea, cardiac arrest, swelling of the heart, seizures, headache, dizziness, diarrhea, back pain or upper respiratory infection symptoms. Other side effects of the medication may include anemia, localized pain (besides the IV entrance), wheezing, congestion, cough, lethargy or body stiffness, according to RxList.com. Any heart or breathing irregularities should be reported to a doctor right away.
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