What is Viridal Duo?
Viridal Duo (alprostadil) is a prescription only treatment to help you get and maintain an erection if you suffer from erectile dysfunction.
Effectiveness
Viridal Duo can be highly effective and this has been proven in clinical trials. In one trial of almost 300 men, Over 85% of men rated their sexual activity as satisfactory after injection.
Side effects
Like all medicines, Viridal Duo can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects which affect more than 1 in 10 men include pain in the penis.
If you get a long-lasting erection of more than 4 hours, contact your doctor immediately. If you cannot contact your doctor, go to an Accident and Emergency department.
For a full list of potential side effects and other important information, please read the patient leaflet provided in the pack before starting any course of treatment. The leaflet can also be viewed online here.
Convenient & confidential online consultations are available through the Pharmacy2U Online Doctor service.
How does Viridal Duo work?
Viridal comes in a glass cartridge with two chambers. One chamber contains alprostadil, the other contains sodium chloride solution. These are mixed together to make a solution that is injected into the penis.
The active ingredient of Viridal Duo, alprostadil, is like the natural substance prostaglandin E1. It has a direct effect on the tissue of the penis that causes an erection and causes the blood vessels to widen so that blood can flow more easily in your penis. This causes an erection.
How long does Viridal Duo take to work?
It takes 5-15 minutes to work and your erection will normally last for up to 60 minutes after injection. The duration of action will vary from patient to patient and depends upon the dose used.
How do you take Viridal Duo?
It's important to read the patient information leaflet carefully before using Viridal Duo.
Viridal Duo (alprostadil) should only be used if prescribed by a registered doctor and a doctor has shown you how to prepare and inject Viridal Duo correctly. Viridal Duo is injected into the spongy tissue on either side of the penis called the corpus cavernosum. Do not inject yourself unless you are 100% confident you are doing it correctly as incorrect injection can damage the penis. The patient information leaflets provide instructions of how to administer the injection and can be found here:
The dose required varies between men and our doctor will advise on the right dose for you. The starting dose is 2.5 - 5 micrograms and this is then increased depending upon the results. Most men find that a dose between 10 and 20 micrograms is suitable however some men may require a higher dose. You should use the lowest dose that is effective and you should never use more than 40 micrograms.
Do not use Viridal Duo more than three times in a week and leave at least 24 hours between injections. Change the side of the penis and place that you inject each time you use it.
Viridal Duo does not interfere with ejaculation or fertility. It will not stop the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. The injection can result in a small amount of blood which can increase the risk of spreading certain sexually transmitted infections so the use of a condom is especially recommended.
Who should use Viridal Duo?
Viridal Duo is not usually recommended as a starting treatment for ED, although on occasion this may be the case due to the cause of your erectile problems or medical history. In most cases though, an alternative treatment would be tried first due to Viridal Duo being in injection form.
If you are allergic to alprostadil or any of the other ingredients in Viridal Duo, you should not use this medication. You should also not use this medication if you have a penis implant, disease of the penis, or a penis deformity, or you have been advised not to have sexual intercourse for medical reasons. This is also applicable to individuals who have multiple myeloma, leukaemia, or sickle-cell disease.
Who should not use Viridal Duo?
Do not use Viridal Duo if you:
- Are allergic (hypersensitive) to Viridal Duo or any other medicines containing alprostadil or any of the other ingredients of Viridal Duo.
- Have sickle cell anaemia (a blood disease), leukaemia (cancer of the blood), multiple myeloma (bone cancer) or any other problem which increases the risk of getting “priapism”. This is a painful condition when your penis continues to remain erect.
- Have an implant in your penis.
- You have been told not to have sex for health reasons such as heart problems or a recent stroke
- Have scarring or deformity of the penis or foreskin.
Viridal Duo can interact with other medicines so it's important that you tell the doctor about all medicines you are taking before you start using Viridal Duo.
Can I use Viridal Duo with other medications?
You should not use Viridal Duo in conjunction with any other type of medicine for erectile dysfunction. You may also experience a higher risk of bleeding after the injection if you are taking medicines to stop blood clots, such as heparin or warfarin.
Viridal Duo may also increase the effects of medicines designed to lower blood pressure. If you are taking medicine to lower your blood pressure, you may feel dizzy after the injection. If this happens, you should lie down or sit down until the symptoms pass.