Alprostadil Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 14, 2025.

Applies to alprostadil: intracavernosal powder for solution.

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution
• urethral suppository

Precautions

Do not use alprostadil if you have a penile implant unless advised by doctor.

If too much of this medicine is used, the erection lasts too long and does not reverse when it should. This condition is called priapism. If the erection is not reversed, the blood supply to the penis may be cut off and permanent damage may occur.

Contact your doctor immediately if the erection lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of priapism and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage.

If you notice bleeding at the place where you injected the medicine, put pressure on the spot until the bleeding stops. If it doesn't stop within 5 minutes, check with your doctor. If you have an infection that is spread through blood, this could increase the risk of giving the infection to your sexual partner.

This medicine does not prevent pregnancy. Use birth control if you do not want pregnancy to occur.

This medicine will not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases.

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause serious reactions (eg, gasping syndrome) to newborn or premature babies. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.

Common side effects of alprostadil

Some side effects of alprostadil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of alprostadil

Along with its needed effects, alprostadil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking alprostadil:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to alprostadil: compounding powder, injectable kit, injectable powder for injection, injectable solution, transurethral suppository.

General adverse events

The most common side effects were penile pain, local bleeding, fever, urethral pain, urethral burning, apnea, and flushing.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Penile pain (up to 36%), urethral pain (13%), urethral burning (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Prolonged erection greater than 4 hours, penile angulation, penile fibrosis, cavernous body fibrosis, Peyronie's disease, penis disorder, prostate disorder, testicular pain, urethral bleeding/spotting and other minor urethral abrasions, vaginal burning/itching
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Priapism, scrotal erythema, dysuria, hematuria, pollakiuria, micturition urgency, urethral hemorrhage, balanitis, phimosis, ejaculation disorder, scrotal disorder, scrotal pain, testicular swelling, testicular edema, scrotal edema, spermatocele, testicular disorder, testicular mass, penile hemosiderin deposits, swelling of the preputium or the glans, perineal pain, painful erection
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Urinary tract infection
• Frequency not reported: Anuria, abnormal ejaculation, penile deviations, penile warmth, urinary frequency/urinary urgency/impaired urination^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Flushing (10.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, hypotension, tachycardia, cardiac arrest, edema, hematoma, hypertension, myocardial infarction, abnormal ECG
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vascular fragility, supraventricular extrasystoles, vein disorder, vasodilatation, peripheral vascular disorder, peripheral edema, swelling of the leg veins
• Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, hyperemia, second degree heart block, shock, spasm of the right ventricle infundibulum, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, rapid pulse, pneumopericardium, ventricular hypertrophy, tachyphylaxis, ductus arteriosus histological changes, venous leak, cardiac arrhythmias, postural hypotension, changes in blood pressure, vagal shock, vasovagal reactions, myocardial ischemia^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Local bleeding (15%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site hematoma, injection site burning, sensation of tension in the penis, injection site pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site hemorrhage, injection site edema, injection site inflammation, injection site mass, injection site pruritus, injection site swelling and reddening, injection site irritation, injection site anesthesia, injection site warmth
• Frequency not reported: Localized pain^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Apnea (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, rhinitis
• Frequency not reported: Bradypnea, bronchial wheezing, hypercapnia, respiratory depression, respiratory distress, tachypnea, hypoplastic lungs, pneumothorax^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fever (14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, influenza-like symptoms, pain, accidental injury
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Vertigo
• Frequency not reported: Hypothermia, jitteriness, non-generalized weakness^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, leg pain, pelvic pain, muscle spasms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Exostosis
• Frequency not reported: Hyperextension of the neck, stiffness, cortical proliferation of the long bones, microcephaly, leg cramps^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia
• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Seizures, headache, dizziness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, presyncope
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral bleeding, lethargy, numbness, collapse, amnesia, cerebrovascular accident^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Ecchymosis, erythema, skin disorder
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, pruritus, hyperhidrosis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Diaphoresis, sensitivity, irritation, non-application site pruritus^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, inguinal hernia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Obstruction gastric, gastric mucosal hypertrophy, nausea, dry mouth
• Frequency not reported: Gastric regurgitation, peritonitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fungal infection, common cold
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Disseminated intravascular coagulation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Anemia, bleeding, hypochromic anemia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Mydriasis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hyperbilirubinemia, biliary atresia^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Polycystic kidneys, renal failure^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Hyperirritability^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Alprostadil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer