Transdermal iontophoresis with verapamil and dexamethasone in the acute phase of peyronie's disease. Our experience.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the treatment of Peyronie's disease (PD) with verapamil and dexamethasone iontophoresis.

METHODS

Twenty nine patients with PD were treated by means of a Miniphysionize" dispositive 3 sessions a week during 4 consecutive weeks. 5mL of a combination of verapamil(10mg.) and dexamethasone (4mg.) were transdermally administered with a 2.5 mA current during 20 min. The aim is to evaluate treatment efficacy in correcting penile curvature (Kelami test), plaque size (penis ultrasound (US)) improvement of pain and, other parameters like erectile function (EF), intercourse capacity or adverse effects of the treatment, which were evaluated with questionnaires.

RESULTS

All patients completed the treatment protocol (12 sessions) and a total number of 348 sessions of iontophoresis were performed. After treatment, 3 patients (10.7%) continued with pain, but it disappeared in 25 of them (89.3%). A decrease of the size of the plaque was observed in 13 patients (44.8%), even disappearance in 4 patients (13.8%). No patient had curvature decrease after treatment. However, EF (IIEF score) and ability for intercourse improved in 3 (10.3%) and 4 patients (13.8%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Verapamil and dexamethasone iontophoresis is a safe and reliable treatment resolving painful erections in the acute phase of PD. However its efficacy in solving penile curvature and erectile dysfunction (ED) is more limited.