Prostaglandin E1 versus phentolamine/papaverine for the treatment of erectile impotence: a double-blind comparison.

The use of intracavernous prostaglandin E1 was studied in 48 organically impotent men. Eight men with previous chemical priapism did not have chemically induced priapism at up to 4 times the minimum effective dose of prostaglandin E1. Of 15 men with arteriogenic impotence who had failed prior intracavernous phentolamine and papaverine therapy 10 had adequate erections with prostaglandin E1. A total of 25 men received intracavernous prostaglandin E1 and phentolamine plus papaverine in a double-blind fashion. Erections with prostaglandin E1 were equal or superior to those with phentolamine plus papaverine in each case.