Alprostadil

FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Alprostadil, Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Prostin Vr Pediatric

Brand Names: Alprostadil, Caverject, Caverject Impulse, Edex, Prostin Vr Pediatric
Dosage Form: POWDER
Product Type: BULK INGREDIENT

Description

DESCRIPTION edex ® (alprostadil for injection) is a sterile, pyrogen-free powder containing alprostadil in an alfadex (α-cyclodextrin) inclusion complex. Alprostadil is an endogenous substance known as prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ). edex ® is supplied in single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges. edex ® is lyophilized in single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges intended for use with the reusable edex ® injection device. One chamber of the cartridge contains alprostadil, alfadex and lactose as a sterile, pyrogen-free powder. The other chamber contains 1.075 mL of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride. The edex ® cartridges are supplied in three strengths: 10-mcg cartridge (10.75 mcg alprostadil, 347.55 mcg α-cyclodextrin, 51.06 mg lactose); 20-mcg cartridge (21.5 mcg alprostadil, 695.2 mcg α-cyclodextrin, 51.06 mg lactose); 40-mcg cartridge (43 mcg alprostadil, 1,390.3 mcg α-cyclodextrin, 51.06 mg lactose). The edex ® injection device is used to reconstitute the sterile powder in one chamber with the sterile 0.9% sodium chloride in the other chamber. After reconstitution, the edex ® injection device is used to administer the intracavernous injection of alprostadil. The chemical name for alprostadil is (1R,2R,3R)-3-Hydroxy-2-[(E)-(3S)-3-hydroxy-1-octenyl]-5-oxocyclopentane heptanoic acid. The empirical formula is C 20 H 34 O 5 and the molecular weight is 354.49. The chemical structure is: The α-cyclodextrin inclusion complex improves the water solubility of alprostadil. The empirical formula of α-cyclodextrin is C 36 H 60 O 30 and the molecular weight is 972.85. The chemical structure is: Alprostadil alfadex is a white, odorless, hygroscopic powder. It is freely soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol, ethyl acetate and ether. After reconstitution, the active ingredient, alprostadil, immediately dissociates from the α-cyclodextrin inclusion complex. The reconstituted solution is clear and colorless and has a pH between 4.0 and 8.0. When the single-dose, dual-chamber...

What Is Alprostadil Used For?

INDICATIONS AND USAGE edex ® is indicated for the treatment of erectile dysfunction due to neurogenic, vasculogenic, psychogenic, or mixed etiology.

Dosage and Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION edex ® in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction The dosage range of edex ® for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is 1 to 40 mcg. The intracavernous injection should be given over a 5 to 10 second interval. In a study with a dose range of 1 to 20 mcg of edex ® , the mean dose was 10.7 mcg at the end of the dose titration period. In two studies with a dose range of 1 to 40 mcg of edex ® , the mean dose was 21.9 mcg at the end of the dose titration period. Doses greater than 40 mcg have not been studied. A ½-inch, 27- to 30-gauge needle is generally recommended for the intracavernous injection. The patient is advised not to exceed the optimum edex ® dose which was determined in the doctor's office. The lowest possible effective dose should always be used. Initial Titration in Physician's Office Erectile Dysfunction of Vasculogenic, Psychogenic, or Mixed Etiology : Dosage titration should be initiated at 2.5 mcg of alprostadil. If there is a partial response, the dose may be increased by 2.5 mcg to a dose of 5 mcg and then in increments of 5 to 10 mcg, depending upon erectile response, until the dose that produces an erection suitable for intercourse and not exceeding a duration of 1 hour is reached. If there is no response to the initial 2.5-mcg dose, the second dose may be increased to 7.5 mcg, followed by increments of 5 to 10 mcg. The patient must stay in the physician's office until complete detumescence occurs. If there is no response, then the next higher dose may be given within 1 hour. If there is a response, then there should be at least a 1-day interval before the next dose is given. Erectile Dysfunction of Pure Neurogenic Etiology (Spinal Cord Injury): Dosage titration should be initiated at 1.25 mcg of alprostadil. The dose may be increased by 1.25 mcg to a dose of 2.5 mcg, followed by an increment of 2.5 mcg to a dose of 5 mcg, and then in 5-mcg increments until the dose that produces an erection suitable for intercourse and not exceeding a duration of 1 hour is reached. The patient must stay in the physician's office until complete detumescence occurs. If there is no response, then the next higher dose may be given within 1 hour. If there is a response, then there should be at least a 1-day interval before the next dose is given. At-Home (Maintenance Therapy) Dosing Instructions The first injections of edex ® must be done at the physician's office by medically trained personnel. Self-injection therapy by the patient can be started only after the patient is properly instructed and well trained in the self-injection technique. The physician should instruct the patient to discard any needles which become bent during the self-injection procedure as these needles may break. The physician should make a careful assessment of the patient's skills and competence with the self-injection procedure. The intracavernous injection must be done under sterile conditions. The site of injection is usually along the...

Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)

ADVERSE REACTIONS edex ® , administered by intracavernous injection in doses ranging from 1 to 40 mcg per injection for periods up to 24 months, has been evaluated in clinical trials for safety in over 1,065 patients with erectile dysfunction. Discontinuation of therapy due to a side effect in clinical trials was required in approximately 9% of patients treated with edex ® and in <1% of patients treated with placebo. Local Adverse Reactions The following local adverse reactions were reported in studies including 1,065 patients treated with edex ® for up to two years. Penile Pain With use of up to 24 months, penile pain was reported at least once by 29% of patients during injection, 35% of patients during erection, and by 30% of patients after erection. On a per injection basis, 15% of injections were associated with penile pain. Penile pain was judged by patients to be mild in intensity for 80% of painful injections, moderate in intensity for 16% of painful injections, and severe in intensity for 4% of painful injections. The frequency of penile pain reports decreased over time; 41% of the patients experienced pain during the first 2 months and 3% of the patients experienced pain during months 21 to 24. In placebo-controlled studies, penile pain was reported by 31% of patients after edex ® and by 9% of patients after placebo injection. Prolonged Erection/Priapism Prolonged erections greater than four hours in duration occurred in 4% of all patients treated up to 24 months. In placebo-controlled studies, 3% of patients treated with edex ® and <1% of patients treated with placebo reported prolonged erections greater than four hours. The incidence of priapism (erections greater than 6 hours in duration) was <1% with long-term use for up to 24 months. In the majority of cases, spontaneous detumescence occurred. A higher incidence of prolonged erections was found in younger patients (<40 years), non-diabetic patients, and patients with psychogenic etiology of erectile dysfunction ( See WARNINGS ). Hematoma/Ecchymosis In patients treated with edex ® for up to 24 months, local bleeding, hematoma, and ecchymosis were observed in 15%, 5%, and 4% of patients, respectively. In placebo-controlled studies, the frequency of local bleeding was 6% with injection of edex ® and 3% with injection of placebo. In most cases, these reactions were attributed to faulty injection technique. Local Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥1% of Patients All Study Periods 1 Local Reaction edex® Local Reaction edex® N = 1065 N = 1065 n (%) n (%) Penile pain during injection 305 (29) Ecchymosis 44 (4) Penile pain during erection 368 (35) Penile angulation 72 (7) Penile pain after erection 317 (30) Penile fibrosis 52 (5) Penile pain (other) 2 116 (11) Cavernous body fibrosis 20 (2) Prolonged erection Peyronie's disease 11 (1) > 4 ≤ 6 Hours 44 (4) Faulty injection technique 3 59 (6) > 6 Hours 6 (<1) Penis disorder 28 (3) Bleeding 158 (15) Erythema 17 (2) Hematoma 56 (5) 1 Protocol Numbers KU-620-001, KU-620-002, KU-620-003, F-8653. 2 Penile pain reported without an association to injection site or erection, such as pain in penis and scrotum, pain in glans penis, and burning penile pain. 3 Examples include injection into glans penis, urethra or subcutaneously. Systemic Adverse Experiences The following systemic adverse experiences were reported in controlled and uncontrolled studies in ≥1% of patients treated for up to 24 months with edex ® . Systemic Adverse Experiences Reported by ≥1% of Patients 1 BODY SYSTEM edex ® BODY SYSTEM edex ® BODY SYSTEM edex ® Adverse Experience N = 1065 Adverse Experience N = 1065 Adverse Experience N = 1065 n (%) n (%) n (%) RESPIRATORY CARDIOVASCULAR UROGENITAL Upper respiratory tract Hypertension 17 (2) Prostate disorder 15 (1) infection 58 (5) Myocardial infarction 13 (1) Testicular pain 13 (1) Sinusitis 14 (1) Abnormal ECG 12 (1) Inguinal hernia 11 (1) BODY AS A WHOLE Influenza-like symptoms 35 (3) METABOLIC/NUTRITIONAL DERMATOLOGIC...

Warnings and Precautions

WARNINGS Prolonged erections greater than four hours in duration occurred in 4% of all patients treated up to 24 months. The incidence of priapism (erections greater than 6 hours in duration) was <1% with long-term use for up to 24 months. In the majority of cases, spontaneous detumescence occurred. Pharmacologic intervention and/or aspiration of blood from the corpora was necessary in 1.6% of 311 patients with prolonged erections/priapism. To minimize the chances of prolonged erection or priapism, edex ® should be titrated slowly to the lowest effective dose (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). The patient must be instructed to immediately report to his prescribing physician or, if unavailable, to seek immediate medical assistance for any erection that persists longer than six hours. If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency may result.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions The pharmacodynamic interaction between heparin (5,000 units) and alprostadil intravenous infusion (90 mcg over 3 hours) was investigated. The results indicate significant changes in partial thromboplastin time (140% increase) and thrombin time (120% increase). Therefore, caution should be exercised with concomitant administration of heparin and edex ® . (Also, see Drug-Drug Interactions in CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics .)

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS edex ® should not be used: in men who have conditions that predispose them to priapism, such as sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait, multiple myeloma, or leukemia (see WARNINGS ) . for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men with fibrotic conditions of the penis, such as cavernosal fibrosis or Peyronie’s disease (see PRECAUTIONS ) . in men with penile implants

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy, Nursing Mothers and Pediatric Use edex ® is not indicated for use in women or pediatric patients.

Overdosage

OVERDOSAGE Limited data are available in regard to edex ® overdose in humans. Systemic reactions are uncommon with intracavernous injection of edex ® . Hypotension occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with edex ® . A single dose rising tolerance study in healthy volunteers indicated that single intravenous doses of alprostadil from 1 to 120 mcg were well tolerated. Beginning with a 40 mcg bolus intravenous dose, the frequency of drug-related systemic adverse events increased in a dose-dependent manner, characterized mainly by facial flushing. The primary symptom of an edex ® overdose is a prolonged erection or priapism. Because of the potential for tissue hypoxia and possible necrosis, it is strongly recommended to treat an erection lasting more than 6 hours. The patient is strongly encouraged to go to the nearest emergency room if his personal physician is not available. In the event of an overdose, supportive therapy according to the presence of other symptoms is recommended.

How Supplied

HOW SUPPLIED edex ® (alprostadil for injection) is available in single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges intended for use with the reusable edex ® injection device. One chamber of the cartridge contains 10.75, 21.5, or 43 mcg of alprostadil as a white, sterile, lyophilized powder. The other chamber contains 1.075 mL of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride. When the cartridge is placed into the edex ® injection device and reconstituted, the deliverable amount of alprostadil in each milliliter is 10, 20, or 40 mcg, respectively. edex ® Cartridge 2 Pack contains one reusable edex ® injection device, two single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges, two ½-inch, 29-gauge (0.33 mm × 12.7 mm) needles, and four alcohol swabs. edex ® Cartridge 6 Pack contains one reusable edex ® injection device, six single-dose, dual-chamber cartridges, six ½-inch, 29-gauge (0.33 mm × 12.7 mm) needles, and twelve alcohol swabs. The edex ® cartridges are supplied in the following packages: edex ® Cartridge 2 Pack (includes one injection device, two cartridges, two needles and four alcohol swabs) 10 mcg 1 × 2 Pack NDC 52244-010-02 20 mcg 1 × 2 Pack NDC 52244-020-02 40 mcg 1 × 2 Pack NDC 52244-040-02 edex ® Cartridge 6 Pack (includes one injection device, six cartridges, six needles and twelve alcohol swabs) 10 mcg 1 × 6 Pack NDC 52244-010-06 20 mcg 1 × 6 Pack NDC 52244-020-06 40 mcg 1 × 6 Pack NDC 52244-040-06 Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 86°F).

About This Information

This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.

What are side effects?

Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.

What are drug interactions?

Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.