Transurethral Therapy

This form of therapy has the advantage of not requiring needles. A small pellet is introduced into the urethra via an applicator. The drug is absorbed and an erection forms in approximately five to ten minutes. This form of therapy was developed in the United States and is called medicated urethral system for erection (MUSE). The active ingredient of the pellet is alprostadil. This drug relaxes the muscles in the erectile tissue of the penis allowing increased blood flow.

MUSE should not be used in the following conditions:

• Allergy to alprostadil
• Abnormal penis anatomy
• Any patient who is at risk of priapism (e.g. multiple myeloma, sickle cell disease)
• MUSE should not be used in pregnancy unless the patient is wearing a condom