Caverject Impulse or other injection question

You need to find a compounding pharmacy for the bimix and trimix -- one who mixes them up from the two or three basic ingredients. Your local druggist should be able to direct you to somewhere local -- depending on where you live! I don't know about the Caverject. but I'm sure someone else will....

The main drugs are Papaverine and Phentolamine, mixed in a ratio that varies from 30/1 to 30/5 depending on who does the prescribing and compounding. I'm on bimix at a 30/3 ratio -- that is 30 parts of Papaverine to 3 parts of Phentolamine.

Trimix is similar except that a small amount of a third drug is added (Prostaglandin -- the Caverject ingredient). This can cause serious aching in some people.

The shelf life of both is supposedly three months refrigerated, but you can go beyond that. I believe the bimix doesn't really need refrigeration but I do it anyway.

Cost is about $2 to $5 or more per shot, including syringe and alcohol wipe. It depends greatly on how much you need to get results. A diabetic syringe is commonly used.

You'll get a lot more info using the "Search Site" button at the top this page -- the Google Custom search. I have tried the search function just below that button, but found that to be useless.

I have written extensively about my injection experiences here:

http://prostatecancerinfolink.ning.com/group/edandincontinenceposttreatment/forum/topics/2034917:Topic:15752

Thanks so much James C & Piano! That is why this forum is so valuable. RB

Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA <.04
2nd Post PSA <.01 10/30/2008

I am surprised your urologist did not offer to give you an injection himself in the office to see how you would react to the Caverjet.  Many men, including me, had adverse reaction of severe aching to Caverjet.  Did your urologist give you a starting dose?  I guess I come from the belief we pay the doc a lot of money to treat us right and it sounds to me your urologist is not doing a good job of handling you through the ED phase.

Tamu

hb2006, that was my experience with Caverject, both Impulse 20mcg and powder 40mcg. Results were a 10, pain scale also near 7 or 8 at higher doses, and ineffective but still uncomfortable at lower doses.

Welcome to the Forum. Sorry you have to be here.

The reason why there is such a high report of pain and aching in the Trimix is the use of Alprostadil in it. That's the one that causes aching and pain in the reports. Bimix has none, so there's muc less problems with it reported. The brand name Caverject contains 100% alprostadil, which is why so many report problems with using the Caverject Impulse or the Caverject pwoder-water mixed- injectables. The usual scale of ache/pain is the most reports of it is from users of Caverject, then fewer reports of users of Trimix, as the alprostadil component is much stronger when used straight and weakened somewhat when used in the Trimix. Hope this makes sense. I can't answer any questions about VA procedures, sorry. As far as I know, there's only one guy here now who can tolerate Caverject (alprostadil) in straight single dose use. He, or others, may want to weigh in on this subject.

Hello RB

I have used bimix very successfully. You will need good instructions from a urologist familiar with this special medicine or you can have big (sic) problems requiring a trip to the emergency room due to the 4 hour maximum thing. I suggest you start with low dosages and work up to the correct amount. Be certain to ask your doctor the procedures for using Sudafed and ice packs to reverse the erection if you use too much medicine.

My bimix is ordered from: Wedgewood Pharmacy
405 Heron Suite 200
Swedeboro, NJ 08085-1749
Phone: 800.331.8272

Wedgewood is a compounding pharmacy. You will need a doctor's prescription for this medicine.
The people at Wedgewood are very helpful and easy to order from.

Feel free to email me if I can be helpful.

Best regards,

John