How to Treat Priapism

Prevention and treatment guidance

Priapism

Prevention and treatment guidance

Priapism is an involuntary erection which lasts more than 4 hours and is unrelieved by ejaculation. It is sometimes a symptom of Penile Injection (ICP) therapies, which is why anyone considering Trimix or similar injections should approach them carefully under the guidance of a physician.

Priapism is a true urological emergency and early treatment allows the best chance for functional recovery.

How to Prevent Priapism When Taking Trimix or Other Penile Injection Therapies (ICP)

It’s very important to heed safety information that can help you avoid priapism. Here are some key rules to follow:

NEVER take Trimix or any ICP injection within same 24-hour period as taking Sildenafil (Viagra®), Tadalafil (Cialis®), Vardenafil (Levitra®), or other ED medications.
Start LOW and go SLOW with your dose. Never start higher than 0.05 - 0.12 ml (5-12 units on syringe) for the FIRST injection. Then gradually increase from there for optimal results.
Work closely with a physician who is trained in guiding patients through using Trimix or other ICP therapies.

How to Treat Priapism If It Occurs*

If you do experience an erection lasting more than four hours, here are some steps to take to treat priapism.

*These are general guidelines only and should not be considered medical advice. Speak to your medical provider about how to treat priapism.

Apply ice to the perineum/scrotal area.

You can use a frozen bag of fruit or vegetables if an ice pack is not available.

Walk or jog upstairs.

This can help redirect blood flow from the penis.

Over-The-Counter Medications.

There are also certain medications that can help treat priapism. These include:

Sudafed: Take 60 mg - 150 mg orally
Benadryl: Take 25 mg - 50 mg orally

Prescription Medications

If you have been prescribed Trimix or any other ICP injection and are concerned about priapism, you can request a prescription treatment from your doctor.

One such treatment is Terbutaline. Here are some typical instructions for using Terbutaline:

Take ½ of one 5 mg tablet
If the erection does not subside, you can typically take an additional 1 full 5 mg tablet 15 minutes later
If there is still no resolution for an erection lasting more than 4 hours, go directly to the ER

You may also want to request a prescription for Phenylephrine HCL, a vasoconstrictor that can help treat priapism.

Assembling a ‘Rescue Kit.'

When starting any ICP therapy, it’s good practice to put together a ‘Rescue Kit” specifically for treating priapism. Your kit can include every potential treatment listed above. It takes some planning and communicating with your doctor, but it means being more prepared in the case of priapism.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately.

If over-the-counter and prescription treatments do not work and the erection has been present for 4 hours and/or is painful, immediately visit the ER for treatment.

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