Erectile Dysfunction Gels: Do They Work? Explore Benefits & Top Options Available
Ask a provider if alprostadil is the best treatment for you or if another medication is better. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more. Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process. Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards. Alprostadil (Injectable and Transurethral) ( Updated 8/3/2021.
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You inject alprostadil into the side of your penis. Transurethral alprostadil is a type of suppository. You insert a tiny tablet or pellet into your urethra (the tube in your penis through which pee comes out of your body). It gradually breaks down inside your urethra and absorbs into your body. Studies show that transurethral alprostadil is less effective.
What does Eroxon treat?
There’s also a greater association with pain in your penis and burning. Topical alprostadil comes in the form of a cream or gel. You apply it to the end of your penis before sexual intercourse. However, topical alprostadil doesn’t have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. It isn’t available in the U.S. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. At Cleveland Clinic, we offer specialty care that’s focused on you.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis Black | 80mg | 20 Pills | 71.83€ 68.41€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 120 + 4 Pills | 348.44€ 331.85€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 20 Pills | 101.00€ 96.19€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100 mg | 90 + 8 Sachets | 303.56€ 289.10€ | |
| Levitra Original | 20mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 528.19€ 503.04€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 5mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 132.92€ 126.59€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 10mg | 180 + 8 Pills | 236.88€ 225.60€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 60mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 198.85€ 189.38€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 20mg | 60 + 6 Pills | 131.11€ 124.87€ | |
| Cialis Soft Tabs | 20mg | 20 + 2 Pills | 66.98€ 63.79€ | |
| Levitra Professional | 20mg | 10 Pills | 62.37€ 59.40€ |
Be ready for sex whenever you're in the mood You may know it as the “little blue pill,” but have you heard of “Viagra gel” or “topical Viagra?” Scrolling through online forums for erectile dysfunction (ED), you may have seen discussions about a so-called sildenafil gel or sildenafil cream referring to the active ingredient in Viagra®, one of the most popular medications for ED. You massage these products onto the head of your penis and boom — you’re meant to get an erection soon after. Sildenafil isn’t available as a topical gel. One such product available over the counter (OTC) is Eroxon® StimGel, an ED gel inaccurately dubbed “topical Viagra.” Despite the moniker, Eroxon doesn’t contain sildenafil citrate — neither do any of the other erection gels and topicals commonly mislabeled as “Viagra gel.” While there are a few studies on OTC erectile dysfunction gels as potential treatments for ED, there’s currently not enough research to confirm they work as well as FDA-approved prescription ED drugs. If you’re one of the millions of men who experience erectile dysfunction, it’s good to know your options. Let’s talk about sildenafil gel for ED and other potential treatments. Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is in a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications block the enzyme PDE5, which helps widen blood vessels to improve blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get and maintain an erection.
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The primary benefit of alprostadil is that it helps you to get and maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. It causes an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse in about 80% of men. Very rarely, injectable alprostadil may also cause a penile infection. Your erection should last between 30 minutes and an hour. You may continue to have an erection after you orgasm, but it should go away within an hour.
Side Effects
Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if: You develop a painful curve when you have an erection. Your erection lasts longer than two hours. You have swelling or pain in your testicles, perineum or legs. Veins in your legs start to swell. You develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills or nausea and vomiting. When it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, sildenafil was the first oral medication available specifically for treating erectile dysfunction.
| Brand Name | Country of Origin | Main Focus | Price Range (per tube) | Customer Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biofreeze | USA | Cold therapy gels | $8 - $15 | 4.5 |
| Voltaren | Switzerland | Anti-inflammatory gels | $10 - $20 | 4.2 |
| Diclofenac Gel | India | Pain relief, anti-inflammatory | $3 - $8 | 4.0 |
| Aloe Vera Gel | Various | Soothing and moisturizing | $2 - $10 | 4.3 |
You need a prescription to buy and use sildenafil. Sildenafil is pretty effective and safe when used correctly. But contrary to internet rumors, it’s only available as a pill — not as a gel. Some studies have looked at the possibility of using a sildenafil gel for erectile dysfunction.
- Ed gels can temporarily reduce bleeding by constricting blood vessels.
- They are helpful in reducing discomfort from toothaches and oral ulcers.
- Ed gels have a rapid onset, with effects lasting from 15 to 60 minutes.
- They are used in salons for numbing the skin before waxing or threading.
- Some ed gels include anti-inflammatory ingredients for added benefit.
- Always read labels to ensure the gel is suitable for your specific needs.
- Ed gels are sometimes combined with antiseptics for infection prevention.
- Reapply as directed to maintain effective pain relief without overuse risks.
However, no manufacturers have actually pushed for it to be FDA-approved. Because of this, it’s currently not possible to buy a sildenafil-based ED gel in the U.S. Many people seem to confuse sildenafil gel with sildenafil jelly, which is taken orally and isn’t available in the United States. (Well, not unless you get it from a dodgy online shop — which we don’t suggest.) It may also be confused with AndroGel® and alprostadil cream — more on these below.
What can I do to help relieve my symptoms?
You develop scarring or hard areas on your penis. The alprostadil solution looks cloudy, is a different color or has debris. Go to the nearest emergency room if your erection lasts longer than four hours. No, you shouldn’t combine alprostadil with pills to increase sex drive male other oral medications for ED. Taking alprostadil in combination with Viagra or other similar drugs may increase toxic effects. If you’re looking for a topical treatment for ED, Eroxon StimGel is a newer FDA-approved option. Made by the UK-based pharmaceutical company Futura Medical, it’s the first topical ED treatment legally available over the counter in the United States.
Eroxon Stimgel vs. Oral ED Medications: How Do They Compare?
The cost of alprostadil may also depend on: The pharmacy where you pick up your prescription. Alprostadil can help treat erectile dysfunction and improve your sex life. ED can cause a lot of different feelings — frustration, embarrassment, shame and even humiliation. You may even experience these feelings when you seek help from a healthcare provider. But ED is common, and providers are available to help you and make you as comfortable as possible with your questions and concerns. But while some news outlets have dubbed Eroxon “topical Viagra,” the medication isn’t a PDE5 inhibitor like Viagra. Instead of blocking the PDE5 enzyme, this erectile dysfunction gel physically cools and warms the penis, according to the manufacturer’s website. This is thought to stimulate nerve endings and release nitric oxide to encourage better blood flow to the area. In a 12-week clinical trial of 250 men published on the manufacturer’s website, more than 60 percent saw improvement in ED symptoms, with some men getting erections within 10 minutes. A fast-acting formula might sound appealing, given that Viagra takes around 30 minutes. However, there are some interesting factors to consider: Eroxon was the “placebo” in its first clinical trial. In the 12-week clinical trial, Eroxon was actually the “placebo.” The active drug consisted of nitroglycerin, a vasodilator. During the trial, researchers found that Eroxon (the placebo) performed almost as well as the active drug.
How to take Avarante 10mg Tablets
Have a history of painful, long-lasting erections (priapism). Have any medical conditions, including congenital conditions (abnormalities since birth) that affect your penis, severe curvature when you have an erection (Peyronie’s disease), a penile infection or a condition that slows down your blood flow (such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, polycythemia vera, sickle cell disease or essential thrombocythemia). You may inject alprostadil by itself or as a mix with other medications to increase its effectiveness. Names for the alprostadil mix may include Bimix, Trimix and Quadmix. As a single ingredient, alprostadil comes in powder form.
Eroxon® is easy to apply – by men and their partners
You must mix it with a liquid before you inject it into the side of the penis with a tiny needle. It’s important to know that there isn’t one set dose for alprostadil. You may need to gradually adjust the dosage according to how your body responds. It may take some time to find the right dose. If a healthcare provider prescribes injectable alprostadil, they’ll teach you how to use it. Eroxon was the “placebo” in its first clinical trial. The FDA calls Eroxon a “non-medicated hydro-alcoholic gel.” It contains ethanol, carbomer, propylene, glycerine, and potassium hydroxide.
Side Effects Gel for Erectile Dysfunction
The most common complication includes a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. Without proper treatment, it can cause permanent damage to your penile tissue. The average cost of alprostadil is over $500 for a 5-milliliter (teaspoon size) vial. The cost per dose depends on how much you need to inject, which varies from person to person. The lower the volume that you need to inject, the more doses per vial you’ll get, which makes it cheaper per dose. These chemicals are found in various cosmetics and function as thickening agents, moisturizers, and lubricants. Other PDE5 inhibitors, specifically tadalafil, work better. In a second clinical trial comparing Eroxon (Med3000) to tadalafil (generic for Cialis), tadalafil showed a “greater improvement in erectile function.” Other PDE5 inhibitors, specifically tadalafil, work better.
- Ed gels are generally inexpensive and widely accessible.
- Their effectiveness depends on correct application and timing.
- They are advisable for temporary localized pain, not long-term treatment.
- Ed gels may cause a burning sensation if applied excessively or improperly.
- Consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended for frequent use.
- They are suitable for temporary relief of oral trauma pain.
- Most ed gels are compatible with other topical medications.
- Proper hygiene before application helps maximize their efficacy.
In a second clinical trial comparing Eroxon (Med3000) to tadalafil (generic for Cialis), tadalafil showed a “greater improvement in erectile function.” Some drug manufacturers make a version of sildenafil that’s sold as an oral jelly. This includes Kamagra Oral Jelly®, a flavored jelly from the Indian pharmaceutical company Ajanta Pharma.
- Ed gels can be used in medical settings to facilitate various procedures.
- They are particularly helpful for patients with needle phobia.
- Ed gels may be included in travel first aid kits due to their versatility.
- They can provide quick relief for cold sores or mouth sores.
- Some ed gels have a bitter taste that can be masked with flavoring.
- Their portable packaging makes them convenient for on-the-go use.
- They are often formulated without alcohol to avoid tissue irritation.
- Ed gels should be used with caution in patients with known allergies to ingredients.
If swallowing a tablet is difficult for you, Kamagra may sound appealing. However, sildenafil jellies haven’t been approved by the FDA, and they aren’t legally available in the United States. The same goes for Osidea GL, another sildenafil gel from a Mexican manufacturer.
Best Erection Gels in India (2026)
as of yet. It’s important that you follow your alprostadil directions carefully. You shouldn’t use injectable alprostadil more than two to three times per week. You should wait at least 24 hours between each time you use it. Avoid using transurethral alprostadil more than twice every 24 hours.
4. Ayurvedic / OTC Gels (Example: Himalaya Himcolin)
You should be able to get an erection within five to 20 minutes of taking injectable alprostadil. Transurethral alprostadil should start to work within 10 minutes. Alprostadil isn’t a cure for erectile dysfunction. But when you use it correctly, it’s a safe, effective, long-term treatment for erectile dysfunction. Many people choose to use alprostadil for a long time. Still, you might come across U.S.-based online stores selling Kamagra. They may market these products as supplements for sexual performance.
