Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter to the Editor
  • Published:

Prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester, a new agent for topical penile therapy

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 317–318 (2002)Cite this article

We read with interest the article by Dr Montorsi and colleages1 regarding the current status of local penile therapy. We agree with the authors' closing statement that topical agents remain an attractive option if an effective system is found, which facilitates permeation of skin and tunica albuginea. Recently we had the opportunity to explore the efficacy and safety of a new agent for topical penile therapy, prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester (PGE1-EE). PGE1-EE is a prodrug of PGE1 with an improved transdermal permeation due to the esterification.2

Here we want to report the first experiences with this new therapeutical route. In our open monocenter pilot study 17 men with more than 6 months' history of erectile dysfunction (ED) of organic or psychogenic origin were enrolled. Our patients had a mean erectile function score of 12 measured by the erectile function (EF) domain of the international index of erectile function (IIEF).3 For topical treatment a patch containing PGE1-EE in the adhesive (3 μg/cm2) was applied to the shaft of the penis. In a titration period patients received increasing doses of PGE1-EE (30, 60, 120 μg) at the trial site in intervals of at least 6 days until an appropriate dose had been detected or until the highest dose had been reached. Patches were applied until complete erection (maximum 3.5 h). Local tolerability and efficacy were assessed judging an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse (≥4 on a 1–5 scale) as response. In a second treatment period patients applied patches of the most appropriate or highest dose at home twice.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Montorsi F et al. Current status of local penile therapy Int J Impot Res 2002 14: (Suppl 1) 70–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Frölich J, Bippi H . Prostaglandin E1-derivates and their therapeutic use European Patent No EP O 292 643 B1 1992

  3. Rosen RC et al. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF): a multidimensional scale for assessment of erectile dysfunction Urology 1997 49: 822–830

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. McVary KT, Polepalle S, Riggi S, Pelham RW . Topical prostaglandin E1 SEPA gel for the treatment of erectile dysfunction J Urol 1999 162: 726–730

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Goldstein I, Payton TR, Schechter PJ . A double-blind, placebo-controlled, efficacy and safety study of topical gel formulation of 1% alprostadil (Topiglan) for the in-office treatment of erectile dysfunction Urology 2001 57: 301–305

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bracht SF . Prostaglandin E1-ethylester in der transdermalen Anwendung Dissertation, Technische Universitát Carolo-Wilhelmina, Braunschweig 1995 pp 85–106

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Andrology, University of Tübingen, Germany

    S Schanz, U Hauswirth, A Ulmer & G Fierlbeck

Authors
  1. S Schanz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. U Hauswirth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A Ulmer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. G Fierlbeck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G Fierlbeck.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schanz, S., Hauswirth, U., Ulmer, A. et al. Prostaglandin E1 ethyl ester, a new agent for topical penile therapy. Int J Impot Res 14, 317–318 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900878

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900878

Search

Advanced search

Quick links