Caverject Kit (Alprostadil) Erectile Dysfunction Canada Pharmacy
Description
Caverject (Alprostadil) Dosage and Side Effects
CAVERJECT is used to treat erectile dysfunction in male adults.
Proper Use of this medication
For Erectile Dysfunction:
CAVERJECT is to be injected into either of two areas of the corpora cavernosa (spongy tissue of penis).
CAVERJECT must be given to you first by your doctor in his/her office to determine a dose of CAVERJECT that works for you. This dose of CAVERJECT should help you achieve and/or maintain an erection not longer than 1 hour. This process is called dosage titration.
When a dose has been selected, your doctor should show you how to safely inject CAVERJECT. And you should also be familiar with the following instructions before giving yourself an injection. If you have any questions, please ask your doctor.
CAVERJECT should be injected not more than once daily and not more than 3 times a week, with at least 24 hours between each dose. Maximum daily dose should not be more than 60 µg. Do not inject CAVERJECT into an erect penis.
A case of CAVERJECT has enough drug for one injection. The number of cases you need will depend on the length of your therapy.
CAVERJECT Case Supplies:
CAVERJECT is supplied in boxes that contain five cases. Each case contains the following:
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One vial of CAVERJECT sterile powder in strength of 20 µg.
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One pre-filled syringe containing bacteriostatic water. This is sterile water containing a preservative and is used to dissolve CAVERJECT. This solution does not contain active drug. You will use this syringe after attaching the needle, to inject the drug into your penis.
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A 27-gauge, 0.5 inch needle. Keep the plastic cover on the needle until ready to inject.
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Two alcohol swabs. It is important to use the swabs to provide hygienic conditions and prevent infection.
Self-injection Method:
Preparing the medication:
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Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
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Pull back on tabs of needle package to expose open end of needle. Do not let this end touch any surface.
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Hold syringe tip upwards and remove rubber end cover. Continue to hold syringe upright in one hand. With free hand, pick up needle by covered end.
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With needle cover still on, attach open end of needle to syringe tip by pushing down and twisting into place. Make sure the needle fits tightly.
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Remove the plastic cap from the vial.
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Wipe the rubber stopper of the vial, using one of the swabs provided (see Diagram 3). Discard the used swab (the second swab is needed later).
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Handle the syringe by the barrel only. Remove needle cover carefully from the syringe. Do not allow needle to touch any surface.
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Holding the syringe with needle pointing upward, push plunger to the 1-cc (mL) line marked on the syringe. (This will remove a slight amount of overfill in the syringe.)
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Pierce needle through the centre portion of the vial’s rubber cap. Push down plunger and inject entire contents of syringe (bacteriostatic (bak-te-reo-stat-ik) water) into the vial.
Carefully hold syringe and vial as a unit, and gently swirl the two (do not shake) until the powder dissolves completely. DO NOT USE if the resulting solution is cloudy or coloured, or if it contains particles.
Withdrawing the medication:
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To withdraw the medication, turn the vial (and syringe) upside down. Keep tip of needle below the level of the fluid. Then slowly withdraw syringe plunger until the amount of solution is level with the line recommended by your doctor.
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If there are air bubbles in the syringe, tap syringe gently to remove them, or inject the solution back into the vial and slowly withdraw again.
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Remove needle from bottle and carefully replace needle cover. DO NOT puncture the vial more than once, you could contaminate the solution.
Self-injecting the medication:
The medication must be injected into either of two areas of the corpora cavernosa (spongy tissue of penis). As you can see from diagrams A and B, the corpora cavernosa run down both sides of the penis.
Follow these instructions carefully to ensure you inject the medication correctly.
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Perform the self-injection while sitting in an upright or slightly reclining position and under good lighting.
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Only use the injection areas shown in diagrams A and B. DO NOT inject the very top or underside of your penis. Change the injection site each time you use CAVERJECT. (i.e. choose the right side for this injection, use the left side next time, and so on.) Within either area, the injection point should also be changed each time.
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Grasp the head of your penis with your thumb and forefinger. Stretch your penis tautly and hold it firmly against your thigh so that it does not slip. In uncircumcised men, the foreskin must be pulled back to assure proper placement of the injection.
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Clean the injection area thoroughly with a new alcohol swab. Put swab to one side; you will need to use it again.
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Hold syringe between thumb and index finger. Do not put your thumb on the plunger. With syringe at a right angle (90°) to your penis, insert needle to penetrate the skin at the injection site. This is a sensitive area, so expect a little discomfort. Avoid any area where veins are clearly visible.
Once the needle pierces the skin and resistance is felt, push needle firmly forward until a distinct “give” is felt and insert the needle all the way in with a steady, continuous motion.
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Move your thumb or forefinger to the top of plunger and press down. Inject the entire contents of the syringe using a slow, steady motion.
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Withdraw the needle from your penis and replace needle cover. Squeeze both sides of your penis immediately, and apply pressure with the alcohol swab to the injection site for about 3 minutes. If bleeding occurs, maintain pressure until the bleeding stops.
As long as you use your doctor’s recommended dose, expect an erection to occur within 5 to 20 minutes after an injection.
A standard treatment goal is to produce an erection lasting up to an hour. If an erection is extremely painful (or persists after 3 hours) or if you have other adverse effects that concern you, consult your doctor immediately.
Disposal of Used Materials:
Always safely dispose of the used syringe (needle), vial and swabs. To help you, the CAVERJECT case is designed as a safe and convenient disposal unit that should be locked. (As another option, your pharmacist may supply a disposal box especially for syringes.)
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Remove red plastic lock from its holder inside the case. Put this to the side.
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Place used syringe, needle, vial and used swabs in the plastic case. Close firmly so the case snaps shut.
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Remove centre part of CAVERJECT label (perforated area) to show the keyhole.
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To lock case, push the red lock through the hole in the case top. The case is now locked.
NOTE: ONCE LOCKED, THE CAVERJECT CONTAINER WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
You can now safely dispose of the case. Due to the contents, this is not a recyclable product; DO NOT place in a recycle bin.
If you have any questions about the benefits and risks of using CAVERJECT, ask your doctor.
Overdose:
An erection lasting longer than 3 hours is not a “normal” length of time for the penis to stay rigid. If this occurs, you have probably overdosed. Report this to your doctor immediately. Treat as a medical emergency.
Side Effects
If you have an erection lasting longer than 2 hours, try to reduce the erection using methods suggested by your doctor. Do not wait, it is easier to reduce the erection if you treat it earlier rather than later.
If your penis is still hard after 3 hours see your doctor immediately or go to emergency. Write on a piece of paper the name of the drug, the dose and the time you took it and bring this with you to emergency.
Erections that last more than 6 hours can cause serious and permanent damage.
The most common adverse effect is mild to moderate pain in the penis after injection or during an erection. About one-third of patients experience this effect. Other patients may experience a “burning sensation”, “discomfort” or “tension” in the penis.
Occasionally you may have blood blisters (hematoma, ecchymosis) at the site of injection. These relate to improper injection technique rather than the effects of CAVERJECT. If this occurs, ask your doctor to re-instruct you. Pressing down on the injection site will help avoid blood blisters.
Other local adverse effects include: fibrosis (formation of scar tissue in the penile tissues), irritation, sensitivity, penile rash and penile edema (fluid in the tissues).
Rarely occurring are: urgent need to urinate, pain in the testicles or at the base of the penis, erythema (redness of the skin), penile lumps, tenderness, abnormal ejaculation, curved erections, balanitis (inflammation of the tip of the penis) and itching, swelling, inflammation or bleeding at the injection site, urethral bleeding and injuries resulting from poor injection technique.
Rare whole-body effects include: changes in blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, increased pulse rate, dizziness, headache, faintness.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the above or if you experience anything not listed here. Tell your doctor if you have a condition or are taking a medicine that interferes with blood clotting
Warnings and Precautions
CAVERJECT may cause prolonged erection (4 to 6 hours) or priapism (over 6 hours).
You should seek immediate medical help for an erection that lasts more than 3 hours.
You must be properly trained by your doctor on how to use CAVERJECT.
CAVERJECT is used with a very thin needle that could break easily. If the needle breaks during use and you can see and touch the broken end, remove it and contact your doctor. If you cannot remove the broken end, seek medical help right away.
If the needle is bent, do not use it and do not try to straighten it before using it. This could make it more likely to break. If the needle is bent, remove it from the syringe, discard it, and attach a new needle to the syringe.
CAVERJECT DOES NOT PROTECT against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. For Protection against STIs, it is advisable to use protective measures.
Before or while you use CAVERJECT talk to your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
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sickle cell anemia or a history of sickle cell anemia (abnormality of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) or leukemia;
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an erection that lasted more than 4 hours;
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a deformed penis or Peyronie’s disease;
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a penile implant;
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blood clotting problems or on medicines to prevent blood clotting such as warfarin or heparin.
CAVERJECT should not be used in children and newborns. CAVERJECT contains benzyl alcohol which can cause death in children, especially in babies born early, and in babies who have a low weight when they are born.