I'm not a medical professional of any kind. Anything I post is at best based on my own experiences and hallucinations and or delusions at worst. Remember, internet forum advice is likely worth what you paid for it, or worse. Always ask your doctor and follow his/her advice.
Xerxes wrote:....I have to decide between Caverject vials or dual chamber?
....What is the difference and what would your prefer?
....I am new to this stuff so i have no clue at all
It was my understanding that Caverject is a dual chamber arrangement. Or maybe they offer both. I have no experience with Caverject but I do with Edex another dual chamber version.
With the dual chamber arrangements the active ingredient, alprostadil, is dry and in a separate chamber from the liquid carrier, the saline. You mix the two in the larger cartridge unit that contains both chambers, attach the needle and inject. The vial will probably contain a solution in which the alprostadil is already mixed with the saline. You draw up the desired dose with a syringe and inject.
Disadvantage with the dual chamber arrangements: You will waste what you don't use as they contain a predetermined amount of 10 or 20 mcg of alprostadil and are single use. So if, for example, you use 5mcg of alprostadil you will be discarding 5mcg every time. Another disadvantage is that prep takes a bit more time before use. Depending on your insurance you may find the dual chamber arrangements substantially more expensive.
Advantages with dual chamber arrangement: They are easy to travel with as they require no refrigeration. They also have a long shelf life and may even be viable long after their expiration date but check with your doctor or pharmacist on that one.
Advantages with pre-mixed vials: They are generally quicker to use at time of use. You only draw out of the vial the dose you need and the vial can have numerous doses drawn out of it so there is less waste. It may be much cheaper than the dual chamber arrangements. You also have more control of the injection with the pre-mixed vials and a normal syringe.
Disadvantages of pre-mixed vials: Refrigeration or freezing is required. Much shorter shelf life. Separate vial and syringes must be carried.
I prefer the pre-mixed vials as they are cheap and I can't afford the dual chamber cartridges. My insurance doesn't cover the injections and the pre-mixed vials are cheap enough that I don't care. I would like some of the dual chambered cartridges for travel.
You don't say where you are located. That information may be relevant.