In detail, the indications for its use vary depending on whether it is administered to adult patients - in whom it is used to counter erectile dysfunction and treat certain blood vessel disorders - or to pediatric patients - in which alprostadil is used. to keep the arterial duct open in the presence of congenital heart defects.
Chemically, alprostadil is the synthetic analogue of prostaglandin E1. It can be administered parenterally, or topically and locally (in the latter case, only when used in men to treat erectile dysfunction).
Some alprostadil medicines can be dispensed on a repeatable prescription (RR), while others require a non-repeatable prescription (RNR). Some of these drugs are classified as Class C drugs; while others like Class A drugs, therefore - when possible (pathology exemption) - their cost can be reimbursed by the National Health System. Other alprostadil-based medicines, on the other hand, can only be used in a hospital setting by specialized medical personnel.
