Intracavernosal Injection Therapy

Intra-cavernosal Injection (ICI)

Intra-cavernosal injection is the most effective non-surgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Alprostadil (prostaglandin E-1) phentolamine and papavarine are the medications used in the injection.

ICI is a very effective way to generate an erection in the early post operative period following radical prostatectomy. Using ICI improves the rate of recovery of normal erectile function following prostate surgery.

Patients interested in learning this technique spend 30 minutes with our clinic nurse learning ICI technique and will be supplied with the medication and syringes plus needles required for administering it.

Intracavernosal injection has the highest potential for priapism (prolonged painful erection). For this reason the initial trial dose of intra-cavernosal injection therapy is administered under the supervision of our erectile dysfunction nurse. An erection lasting more than four to five hours may lead to long term erectile problems and needs to be treated urgently. If an erection lasts for four hours then you should initially try to repeat ejaculation, take a cold shower and go for a brisk 15 minute walk; if these measures do not help then taking the tablets supplied is recommended. If the erection is still present at five hours then urgent medical treatment at a hospital is required. The erection may need to be drained of blood.