KETANSERIN PLUS PROSTAGLANDIN-E1 (PGE-1) AS INTRACAVERNOSAL THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION UNRESPONSIVE TO PGE-1 ALONE

Objective To evaluate the treatment of patients with erectile dysfunct ion and who were unresponsive to intracavernosal injections of prostag landin E-1 (PGE-1) alone with a combination of PGE-1 and ketanserin, a peripheral vasodilator antagonizing 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors and with mild alpha-blocking effects. Patients and methods The study comp rised 98 men with erectile dysfunction all of whom received an intraca vernosal injection of 5-40 mu g of PGE-1. The 45 patients unresponsive to the maximum dose of 40 mu g were selected for further treatment us ing a combined dose of 40 mu g PGE-1 and 2-7mg of ketanserin. Their er ectile response was assessed both subjectively, by interviewing the pa tient and their partner, and objectively using the 'Rigiscan' monitor. Results The combined therapy was effective in producing an erection s ufficient for sexual intercourse in 34 (76%) of the patients, The comb ined dose was tolerated well and there were no adverse effects. Conclu sions The results of this preliminary study suggest that the combinati on of PGE-1 and ketanserin may be a therapeutic alternative to the imp lantation of a prosthesis in patients unresponsive to PGE-1.