Alprostadil

Because the preparation Alprostadil Has a vasodilating and blood circulation enhancing effect, it is mainly used for three complaints: erectile dysfunction, chronic arterial occlusive disease and in emergency medicine for newborns. The side effects associated with the administration of this preparation depend on the health problem for which it is used.

What is Alprostadil?

Alprostadil is a preparation that is supposed to increase blood flow and widen the blood vessels to ensure better blood flow. This active ingredient is mainly used in angiology. This is a sub-area of ​​internal medicine that primarily deals with vascular diseases.

However, because the areas of application overlap between different medical specialties, it is used in a variety of disciplines - from cardiologists to neurologists. The active ingredient is also sometimes used in emergency medicine, for example when it comes to treating severe heart defects in newborns at short notice. Their condition can be stabilized to a certain extent by the administration of alprostadil.

Pharmacological effect

Alprostadil is an artificially produced active ingredient that is very similar to the tissue hormone prostagladin E1. This substance is one of the prostaglandins, which perform a variety of tasks within the organism.

Among other things, they influence the widening of blood vessels, but also have an influence on inflammation and pain. They also have an effect on the muscles of the uterus and cervix, where the contraction of the uterus, which is often felt to be painful, is caused by prostaglandins. Alprostadil has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the organism, which cannot be arbitrarily influenced. These include, for example, the intestinal and uterine muscles.

Because the preparation also acts on the muscle cells that are located in the walls of blood vessels, the active ingredient also dilates the blood vessels. At the same time, the clumping of the blood platelets is prevented, which means that the active ingredient counteracts blood clotting and cannot even dissolve blood clots. As a result of these effects, alprostadil alleviates the symptoms that can be triggered by circulatory disorders and generally facilitates blood flow in large and small blood vessels.

Medical application & use

The active ingredient alprostadil has three main areas of application. The preparation is mainly used to treat erectile dysfunction. These are erectile dysfunction that can have both physical and psychological causes.

The active ingredient is either injected into the erectile tissue on the penis or inserted directly into the urethra. In order to avoid damage to the sensitive tissue, in addition to correct use, the dosage is also important. Patients who regularly self-inject the preparation must therefore undergo a medical check-up every three months. Another area of ​​application is the treatment of severe arterial circulatory disorders.

In this case, the vessels have usually narrowed as a result of vascular calcification, which, in addition to circulatory disorders, can also result in pain and also severely restrict the mobility of those affected. In this case, both kidney and cardiovascular functions must be monitored during therapy. In emergency medicine, alprostadil is used for short periods, especially in newborns who suffer from congenital heart defects or a malformation in the lungs. Because the preparation improves the oxygen supply, the child's chances of survival increase.

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Risks & side effects

Depending on the problem with which Alprostadil is administered, different side effects can occur as a result. Patients who are being treated for erectile dysfunction often complain of penile pain. Often it can also lead to lumps in the erectile tissue, water retention or redness.

Water retention and pain are common when alprostadil is used to treat chronic arterial disease. Reddening of the skin and pain can also often occur in this case, while sensory disturbances in the affected body part, headaches or reddening of the face also occur frequently.

If alprostadil is administered to newborns in emergency medicine before operations, it can also lead to sometimes serious side effects such as severe cardiovascular disorders or shock. Different side effects occur here with different frequency.