Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions many men just like you are asking about edex®.

What is edex®?
edex® is a penile injection used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by conditions affecting nerves, blood vessels, emotions, and/or a combination of factors.

edex® is an injectable option for men who are not candidates for oral erectile dysfunction therapy.

How does edex® work?
The active ingredient in edex® is alprostadil.

Alprostadil is chemically identical to a naturally occurring substance in the body called prostaglandin E1. Alprostadil works by directly relaxing the muscles and opening the blood vessels in the penis that produce an erection.

How fast does edex® take effect?
You and your doctor will determine the correct dose for you. When you use edex®, you should produce an erection within 5 to 20 minutes.

How long does edex® work?
The erection can be expected to last up to one hour. If you still have an erection 6 hours after injection, call your doctor who prescribed edex® or, if your doctor is not available, seek professional help immediately.

How often can I use edex®?
You can use edex® 3 times a week. The injections should be administered at least 24 hours apart. You should NOT use edex® more than 3 times a week. Ideally, the injection should be given just prior to foreplay.

Is edex® FDA approved?
Yes. edex® was approved by the FDA in 1997.

FDA-approved for over 2 decades, edex® has been helping appropriate men with ED.

Are there any side effects to using edex®?
Erections that last more than 6 hours can cause serious damage to the penile tissue and may result in permanent impotence. Call the prescribing physician right away or, if unavailable, seek professional help immediately if you still have an erection 6 hours after injection.

A common side effect of edex® is mild to moderate pain during injection. The erection may also be associated with a painful sensation. If you experience severe pain, call the prescribing physician.

Call your doctor if you notice any redness, lumps, swelling, tenderness, or curvature of the erect penis.

A small amount of bleeding at the injection site may occur. To prevent bruising, apply firm pressure at the injection site for 5 minutes; continue until bleeding stops. Tell your doctor if you have a condition or are taking a medicine that interferes with blood clotting.

There is a possibility of needle breakage with the use of edex®. To avoid breaking the needle, you should pay careful attention to your doctor’s instructions and try to handle the injection device properly. If the needle breaks during injection and you are able to see and grasp the broken end, you should remove it and contact your doctor. If you cannot see or cannot grasp the broken end, you should promptly contact your doctor.

edex® offers no protection from sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).

Small amounts of bleeding at the injection site can increase the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases between partners.

There is no approved injectable treatment using multiple medications. In addition, there are no data on the efficacy and safety of these combinations.

How do I inject edex®?
Be sure to use only the dose prescribed by your doctor.

Do not reuse or share needles. As with all prescription medicines, do not allow anyone else to use your medication. Proper injection technique and individual dose titration are essential for the safe use of this product.

Before you begin your self-injection procedure, please read the instructions. Learn more about how to inject edex® by watching a step-by-step educational video. Watch now

How long has edex® been on the market?
edex® has been available on the market for approximately 2 decades.

What are the causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are several causes of erectile dysfunction commonly known as impotence. These include impaired blood circulation in the penis, nerve damage, hormonal imbalances, excessive alcohol use, emotional problems, and certain medications that you may be taking for other conditions. Smoking has an adverse effect on erectile function by accentuating the effects of other risk factors such as blood vessel disease or high blood pressure. Erectile dysfunction is often due to more than 1 of these causes.

How do I talk to my partner about edex®?
It is important to communicate openly about the use of edex®. This is a medical decision that affects both of you. Explain to your partner how edex® works.

Talk to your physician if you need further guidance.

How can I find out more about edex®?
If you have questions about edex®, talk to your doctor. Your personal physician is always your best source of health information.

For more information, download our Patient Brochure.

Who should not use edex®?
Men who have conditions that might result in long-lasting erections should not use edex®. Some of these conditions include sickle cell anemia or trait, leukemia, and tumor of the bone marrow (multiple myeloma). If you have any of these conditions, consult your doctor. Men with penile implants, severe penile curvature or those for whom sexual activity is not advised should not use edex®. edex® should not be used by women or children.

edex® generally should not be used in men who have been told by their healthcare provider to not have sexual activity because of heart problems.

How do I get a prescription for edex®?
Please talk to your doctor to see if edex® is right for you.

edex® is not a cure for erectile dysfunction. The underlying treatable medical causes should be diagnosed and treated prior to starting therapy. The therapeutic effect of each dose is temporary.