Prostaglandin(PGE1) dosage

[brickman]

Is anyone using PGE1 alone for ED? I am new to injections and my prescription reads 10mcg/ML. Doc asked me to inject 10units (0.1ml) to begin with. Yesterday I injected only 5 units(0.05ml) just to be safe and it didn't do much. I was wondering what others are injecting and what an 'average' dose looks like?

[JimStars]

Brick,

When I was using PGE-1 mine was 1500mcg dissolved in 30 ml water so it was around 50mcg/ml -- Pretty strong stuff.

With that I was using 10-20unit per shot for 100% hard for an hour or two.
Also right now using Standard Trimix which is 12.5mcg PGE-1 plus the other stuff and I only need 10units of that for 100% for 1-2 hours).

So I suppose you have plenty of runway left for upping the shot dose.

Keep on keepin' up!

J

[brickman]

Thanks Jim. Why did you switch to Trimix when PGE-1 alone was working?

[JimStars]

Bman,

Heh, that's a good little story.

I had been using Trimix Gel, and one day I realized that it was mostly the same ingredients as in trimix for injection -- just in freeze dried form. So I made my own trimix for injection by dissolving one stick in 30 ml bacteriastatic water! Worked great, but I figured it was safer in the long run to use a real prescription for Trimix. But I did use the bootleg stuff for 6 months and no problems. Sure was cheap price per shot!

J

So how are you doing with increasing doses??

[merlin]

Brickman - Prostaglandin (PDE1) also known as Alprostadil comes in basically 2 FDA approved concentrations. Edex produced by Schwartz Pharma has a 20mcg and 40 mcg concentration as does UpJohn with their Caverject. Yes, they both have lesser concentrations but clearly they are not as effective as the 20 or 40 mcg. Remember this, the only beauty of both preparations is that they are approved by the FDA and most insurance companies cover. The alternative is the bi -and tri mixes utilizing Papaverine Hcl., Phentolamine and Prostaglandin .......clearly superior to prostaglandin used alone. You were wise to inject a lesser dose to be cautious because it is known that when used at home, with a less stressed enviroment and with partner stimulation the effect is amplified. But, you can increase your dose as prescribed. good luck - merlin

[brickman]

Bman,

Heh, that's a good little story.

...So how are you doing with increasing doses??

I tried 0.15ml this time and it was better than before but not adequate. I guess I will have to do gradually increase the dosage and see what works.

[brickman]

Brickman - Prostaglandin (PDE1) also known as Alprostadil comes in basically 2 FDA approved concentrations. Edex produced by Schwartz Pharma has a 20mcg and 40 mcg concentration as does UpJohn with their Caverject. Yes, they both have lesser concentrations but clearly they are not as effective as the 20 or 40 mcg. Remember this, the only beauty of both preparations is that they are approved by the FDA and most insurance companies cover. The alternative is the bi -and tri mixes utilizing Papaverine Hcl., Phentolamine and Prostaglandin .......clearly superior to prostaglandin used alone. You were wise to inject a lesser dose to be cautious because it is known that when used at home, with a less stressed enviroment and with partner stimulation the effect is amplified. But, you can increase your dose as prescribed. good luck - merlin

Thanks Merlin. I am getting mine from a Compounding pharmacy and sometimes doubt if it is equally effective. My script is for 10mcg.

[itguy206]

Hey JimStars...

Is that trimix gel readily available ay most pharms? I'm using the regular injectables, but I like the longer term storage possibilities that the gel sticks might have. Is the gel in a "stick" form? or is it like a tube of gel that you just rub on/in. Just curious to know more about it.

Thanks

[JimStars]

itguy,

Is that trimix gel readily available ay most pharms? I'm using the regular injectables, but I like the longer term storage possibilities that the gel sticks might have. Is the gel in a "stick" form? or is it like a tube of gel that you just rub on/in. Just curious to know more about it.

Hey That is also an interesting little story. The other day I checked for the Trimix Gel website and order form. It turns out that American Pharmacy Solutions has been SWEPT from the Internet. Not a trace remains except in google search results -- which no longer point to anything.

I have read that the FDA has been rousting compounding facilities that are 'Too Agressive" in their advertising. Which I think means advertising prices and making it easy for customers to get a good deal. So much for keeping medical costs down thru patient knowledge.

Their phone number still works tho. But I haven't had a chance to call them to see if they are still selling their normal line of compounded products. They had the best prices on the Internet by far for Trimix -- in the $40s range for 5 ml.

Will folloow up tomorrow if I get a chance to call them.

J

And to answer your question -- the 'Stick' is a plastic applicator/mixing/injecting system. The ingredient is a powder on one side and the other side is the gel. Screw the two sides together and work the plungers back and forth to mix. A neat system.

No you cannot buy it in a regular Pharmacy. But I did see that some other Internet compounding pharmacies did mention they make a gel version of Trimix. The problem with a mixed gel tho is that it would need refrigeration -- just like good old trimix liquid.

[Bluewhippet]

I live in the England and here there is no choice; Trimix is not available so the only injection options are Edex or Caverject. Caverject seems to be the most common prescription but both are PGE1 (Alprostadil). As usual my Uro started me on a small dose (5 mcg) which did have an effect but only about 30% hard for about 10 mins. Increasing doses gave progressively better results and I have found that the best dose for me is between 20 and 30 mcg. A 20 mcg injection is firm enough (90%) but only lasts about 20 minutes. Increasing to 25 or30 mcg gives me 100% erection and stays that hard for about 30/45 minutes then gradually reduces. I have quoted the doses in mcg because describing the injection by volume (units or ml) only makes sense if you know the strength of the mix. I understand that in the trials of Caverject, the average dose required was 21.7 mcg. Reports suggest that both scarring and priapism are much less prevalent with PGE1 when compared with Trimix or Bimix, but a significant proportion of people experience pain/aching from PGE1 - I am one of the lucky ones and do not suffer this side effect.
The major advantage of Caverject/Edex is that they are supplied freeze dried and do not require refrigeration for storage until mixed. The major disadvantage is cost but since my ED is diabetes related our National Health Service provides me with 4 doses per month at no cost.
I would like to try Trimix and would be interested to to hear if users have found that it needs smaller doses when compared with PGE1 alone. It seems that many Forum members using Trimix can stay hard for 1 to 2 hours when they have found the dose that suits them.
I have read that freeze dried Trimix is being introduced in the US. If anyone knows where I could obtain freeze dried Trimix without a US prescription I would be grateful to hear. Franktalk is a great source of advice and help for all of us who suffer from ED.