Although this method, known as intracavernous injection, is very effective in treating most types of impotence, it has a number of drawbacks. These drugs create an erection by relaxing the smooth muscles and widening the blood vessels in the penis. Until very recently, the most effective drug therapy for treating impotence was injecting one of three different drugs, or a combination, directly into the side of the penis. If your doctor offers to prescribe Cialis® without thoroughly discussing your medical and sexual history and conducting a basic physical examination, it would be wise to consult another doctor.

Alprostadil was the first treatment approved by the FDA specifically for impotence. The most common side effects associated with phentolamine are low blooc pressure, rapid heartbeat, nasal congestion, and stomach upset. However, it has a low incidence of side effects such as priapism and scarring.

Phentolamine, when used alone, is clinically less effective. The primary disadvantages are the highei incidences of scarring. Papaverine is generally very effective in treating impotence that is psychologically or neurologically based Its major advantages are its low cost and stability at room temperature. Many doctors combine the three drugs to improve drug potency and reducd the incidence of pain. The other two are phentolamine and alprostadil which is a synthetic version of prostaglandin E , a substance naturally produced by the body. Papaverine was the first drug to be used, and is the least expensive. Three drugs are used for intracavernous injection. Many men are squeamish about injecting themselves; spontaneity is lacking; and the drugs may cause undesirable side effects, including a persistent erection (priapism) lasting for hours or days and scarring.