Description
Vitaros is available in two dosage strengths of 200 and 300 mcg alprostadil in 100 mg of cream. Vitaros should be used as needed to achieve an erection. Each Vitaros AccuDose container is for single use only and should be properly discarded after use. The onset of effect is within 5 to 30 minutes after administration. The duration of effect is approximately 1 to 2 hours. However, the actual duration will vary from patient to patient. Each patient should be instructed by a medical professional on proper technique for administration of Vitaros prior to self-administration. The maximum frequency of use is no more than 2-3 times per week and only once per 24-hour period.
The initial dose should be recommended by a physician. A starting dose with the 300 mcg dose can be considered especially in patients with serious ED, co-morbidity or failure to PDE-5 inhibitors. Those patients that do not tolerate the 300 mcg dose due to local side effects can be titrated to the lower 200 mcg dose.
Patients should be given instruction on proper administration technique, information on possible side effects (e.g., dizziness, fainting) and the need to avoid operating machinery until one is aware of their tolerance to the drug. In the clinical trial there was a higher withdrawal rate in the 300 mcg treated group compared to the 200 mcg group, 30% compared to 20% respectively.
