Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects approximately 49% of Canadian men ages 40 and over. Like the rest of the ageing body, the muscle tone of the penis may decrease with age, but ED may be a result of other health issues such as diabetes, low testosterone, enlarged prostate and high blood pressure. Smoking, alcohol use or even certain medications and psychological factors may also contribute to ED. Commercially available medications to treat ED, such as Viagra®, Cialis® and Levitra®, are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. They work to relax muscle cells in the penis for better blood flow and to produce a rigid erection.

PDE-5 inhibitors are not effective in all men, and all men should have options to improve their quality of life. We work with your family physician and urologist to find the solution best fit for you.

Rapid Dissolve Tablets

Commercially available tablets can often take 30 minutes to several hours to start working, but a Rapid Dissolve Tablet can begin working within 15 minutes. This tablet disintegrates in your mouth quickly, moving into the blood vessels around the tongue, causing a faster onset of action.

Self-Injections – TRI-MIX

This form of medication is usually made up of 3 ingredients that work together to improve blood flow to the penis—administered by injecting a small amount of drug to the side of the penis, leading to an erection (97-100%). The amount of drug is adjusted or tailored for the individual patient for optimal effect.

If you or somebody you know is suffering from ED, encourage them to talk to their doctor about a compounding option. Contact one of our compounding pharmacists for more information.