Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Caverject (Alprostadil-urogenital). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Caverject (Alprostadil-urogenital) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blood blisters at the injection site
• bruising or clotted blood in penis at site of injection (if injected incorrectly)
• burning sensation or tension in the penis
• discomfort or irritation
• dizziness
• feeling faint
• headache
• pain and/or swelling at site of injection
• painful erection (usually mild-to-moderate intensity)
• prolonged erection
• short-term bleeding at site of injection
• skin rash or redness

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abnormal ejaculation
• curving of penis with pain during erection
• nodules or hard tissue appearing in the penis
• inflammation of the tip of the penis
• pain in the testicles or at the base of the penis

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• broken needle that cannot be removed
• prolonged erection (erections that last for 3 hours or more)
• changes in blood pressure
• fast or irregular heart beat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Caverject (Alprostadil-urogenital).

20 µg/vial kit
Each case contains a single-dose vial of alprostadil 20 µg sterile powder, 1 mL prefilled syringe of BWFI (bacteriostatic water for injection) diluent, a 27-gauge 0.5 inch needle, 2 alcohol swabs, and a patient administration leaflet. These cases are fitted with a lock designed for safe and convenient disposal of the contents after use. Once reconstituted, each mL contains alprostadil 20 µg, lactose monohydrate 172 mg, sodium citrate dihydrate 47 µg, benzyl alcohol 8.4 mg, and sterile water for injection qs.

Do not use alprostadil (Caverject®) if you:

• are allergic to alprostadil (Caverject®) or any ingredients of the medication
• are a man for whom sexual activity is inadvisable
• have conditions that increase the risk of priapism, such as sickle cell Anemia, Multiple Myeloma, or Leukemia
• have deformations of the penis, such as angulation, fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease
• have penile implants

Do not use Caverject (Alprostadil-urogenital) if you are female or less than 18 years of age.

There may be an interaction between alprostadil (Caverject®) and any of the following:

• anticoagulants (e.g., Warfarin, Heparin)
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Blood-borne diseases: The injection of alprostadil may cause a small amount of bleeding at the injection site. For those with a blood-borne disease, this may increase the risk of transferring the disease between sexual partners.

Prolonged erection: If the erection lasts for 2 hours, try to reduce the erection by methods suggested by your doctor. A prolonged erection (3 hours or more) or priapism (a painful erection lasting longer than 6 hours) should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): This medication does not reduce the risk of passing HIV or other sexually transmitted infections to others through sexual contact or blood contamination. It is recommended that latex condoms be used in combination with Caverject (Alprostadil-urogenital) to protect against these infections.