Vitaros Cream
Vitaros (alprostadil) cream is applied directly to the tip of the penis to help you get and keep an erection during sex.
Prices from ÂŁ64.00
In stock. Simply fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a suitable treatment. How to Order
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Vitaros cream is a topical erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment that contains the active ingredient alprostadil. It is applied directly to the opening of your penis using an applicator to stop you losing an erection during sex.
Vitaros cream works in 5 to 30 minutes and is effective even if you have nerve damage, making it a suitable alternative to erectile dysfunction pills like Viagra, Cialis, or Spedra.
If you think Vitaros cream might help you, you can order it from Asda Online Doctor using our fast and convenient service. All you need to do is complete a short online health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review. If approved, you can collect your treatment from your nearest Asda Pharmacy.
About Vitaros cream
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Vitaros cream is an erectile dysfunction medication that contains the active ingredient alprostadil, which belongs to a group of medications called prostaglandins. It can help you get and keep an erection if you usually lose an erection during sex.
Unlike phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors that come as pills you swallow like Viagra and Cialis, Vitaros cream is applied directly to the penis.
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Vitaros cream contains the active ingredient, alprostadil, a type of prostaglandin which works by widening the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow, resulting in an erection.
Vitaros cream usually works within 5 to 30 minutes of being applied and its effects can last for 1 to 2 hours.
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Vitaros cream is available in 3mg/g doses. Each single container contains 300 mg of alprostadil in 100mg of cream. A pack of Vitaros cream contains 4 single-dose containers. Each Vitaros container is for single use only.
Vitaros cream should not be applied more than 2 to 3 times per week and only once in a 24-hour period.
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Before applying Vitaros cream, it is advised that you urinate (pee), as you will need to apply the medication into your urethra.
Vitaros cream is supplied in an applicator or tube which contains enough cream for 1 use. You will need to apply the cream 5 to 30 minutes before you intend to have sex.
To apply Vitaros cream:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Remove the AccuDose container from the sachet by tearing down the seal from the middle of the top edge. Put the sachet to one side as this can be used for discarding the AccuDose container later.
- If you haven’t removed the sachet from the fridge to warm up, carefully roll the container between your hands to bring the contents to room temperature.
- Twist the plunger several times to make sure it will glide easily and then remove the cap from the tip of the applicator.
- Grasp the tip of the penis with one hand and squeeze gently to widen the opening, whilst holding it in an upright vertical position.
- Hold the barrel of the AccuDose container between your finger on your other hand and without inserting it inside the penis, place the tip of the container as close to the opening of the penis as possible so that the cream can pass down the urethra.
- Press down on the plunger to release all of the cream from the Accudose container, being careful not to insert the tip of the Accudose container into the opening of the penis.
- Hold the penis in an upright position for 30 seconds to allow the cream to penetrate. Use your finger to gently move any excess cream into the opening of the penis.
- Replace the cap of the tip of the AccuDose container and place it in the foil sachet, fold, and throw away in your household rubbish.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying Vitaros cream as it can irritate your eyes.
Each dose of Vitaros cream is for single use only. Once you have applied the cream, you must not immediately urinate as this can cause the medication to come out before it has time to be effective.
Do not use a second AccuDose to compensate for cream not expelled into the opening at the tip of the penis.
You should always use Vitaros cream exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
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If you use too much Vitaros cream and you experience any of the following effects, you should contact your doctor or 111 for advice:
- drop in blood pressure
- fainting
- dizziness
- persistent penis pain
- prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours
You should only use one single container each time you use Vitaros cream and you should only use it once in 24 hours.
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Vitaros cream offers several benefits over other erectile dysfunction treatments, like PDE-5 inhibitors.
- Its direct application on the penis means it has a local effect and may reduce side effects elsewhere in the body.
- Vitaros cream can work in as little as 5 to 30 minutes, which is quicker than most ED pills.
- There is no need to take a tablet, simply apply the cream to the tip of your penis.
- Vitaros cream can work even if you have nerve damage, unlike PDE-5 inhibitors.
- Vitaros cream doesn’t interact with food or drink – Viagra and Cialis are less effective with heavy meals and alcohol can make side effects worse.
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Vitaros is a prescription-only medication so you will need to speak to your doctor in order to obtain a prescription.
You can buy Vitaros cream online from services like Asda Online Doctor, from a pharmacy if you have a prescription, or you may be able to get it on the NHS if you meet the prescribing criteria (which are usually different from private services).
Can I buy Vitaros cream online?
Yes, you can buy Vitaros Cream online from Asda Online Doctor after you have completed a short online health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
If your treatment is approved, your treatment will be sent to you through the post in discreet packaging or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy.
Can I buy Vitaros cream over the counter?
No, Vitaros cream is a prescription-only medication, therefore you will need a prescription from a doctor to obtain it and you cannot buy it over the counter.
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If you request Vitaros cream from Asda Online Doctor, prices start at £64 per 4g tube.
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Vitaros may cause side effects for both you and your partner, although not everyone will experience them.
Common side effects (may affect more than one in 10 people):
You:
- rash
- genital itching
- penile swelling (oedema) and/or redness
- mild to moderate aching, pain, throbbing, and/or burning of the penis (including inside the penis)
- inflammation of the top of the penis
- numbness of the penis
Your partner:
- mild vaginal burning, itching, or soreness
Uncommon but potentially serious side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
You:
- an erection lasting more than 4 hours
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- pain in the hands and feet
- fainting
- rapid pulse
- low blood pressure
- scarring of the urethra (the tube inside your penis that you urinate from)
- genital rash
- urinary tract inflammation
- fullness of the genitals
- lack of sensation in the penis
- increased sensitivity to touch, pain, pressure, or temperature
- pain at the application site
Your partner:
- itching in and around the vagina (vulvovaginal pruritus)
Most side effects do not last long and should resolve on their own within 1 to 2 hours. If you have an erection that lasts for 4 hours or more (priaptism) seek medical attention immediately by dialling 999 or go to A&E.
If you have any underlying health conditions, such as a history of heart attack or stroke, increased sexual activity with Vitaros cream can cause a significant risk factor to your health.
If you experience any side effects that you are concerned about or that do not go away, speak to your doctor for advice.
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Vitaros cream is a treatment for erectile dysfunction in men aged 18 years of age and older.
Do not use Vitaros cream if you:
- have been told not to have sex due to a heart condition or you have had a stroke
- are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in the medication including alprostadil
- have a history of heart attack
- have an ongoing problem with a drop in blood pressure when going from a relaxed sitting or lying down position to standing
- have a history of dizziness
- already experience a condition called hyperviscosity syndrome that causes prolonged erections
- have a condition such as sickle cell anaemia or trait, thrombocythemia, polycythemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia
- have inflammation or infection of the penis
- have an abnormally formed penis
- are prone to venous thrombosis
Talk to your doctor before using Vitaros if you have experienced any of the following:
- prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours
- dizziness
- fainting
- liver or kidney insufficiency
If you use Vitaros cream, you should use a condom in the following situations:
- your partner is pregnant or breastfeeding
- your partner is of childbearing potential
- to prevent sexually transmitted infections
- during anal or oral sex
Before using Vitaros cream, it is important that you tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications, as these may affect the effectiveness of alprostadil. For example, medications used to treat high blood pressure, decongestants, or appetite suppressants may affect how well Vitaros cream works.
Vitaros cream and other ED treatments
You should avoid combining Vitaros cream with other ED medications as it could increase the risk of:
- dizziness
- fainting
- prolonged erections
Vitaros cream and driving or using machinery
One of the side effects of Vitaros cream is it could make you feel dizzy or faint. You must not drive or operate machinery for 1 to 2 hours after you have applied it.
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Vitaros cream is just one of several erectile dysfunction treatments available. Before you start treatment, it’s best to research what is available to find out which one might be most suitable for you depending on the severity of your symptoms, your budget, how often you have sex, and how often you want the effects to last.
Vitaros is the only topical cream available from Asda Online Doctor to treat erectile dysfunction, all the other treatments are oral pills and belong to a class of medication called PDE-5 inhibitors. They all work in the same way by relaxing the smooth muscles in your penis to increase the blood flow, causing an erection. However, they differ in the active ingredients they contain, how quickly they work, and how long the effects last for.
PDE-5 inhibitors
Sildenafil is one of the most popular erectile dysfunction treatments and is available in its generic form or as branded tablets like Viagra and Viagra Connect. They all take 30 to 60 minutes to work and last for up to 6 hours. You’ll need a prescription to obtain sildenafil and Viagra, but Viagra Connect is available over the counter.
Tadalafil is another popular ED medication that’s available as generic tadalafil or under the brand name Cialis. Tadalafil can either be taken every day or when needed before sex. It can take 30 to 60 minutes to work but its effects can last for up to 36 hours, so it is sometimes known as the ‘weekend pill’. Tadalafil is the longest-lasting erectile dysfunction treatment available.
Spedra is a branded treatment containing the active ingredient avanafil. It can start working in as little as 15 minutes, making it the fastest-acting PDE-5 inhibitor.
Vardenafil is a generic erectile dysfunction treatment which used to be available under the brand name Levitra. It is often the first line treatment if erectile dysfunction is caused by physical effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a prescription required to buy Vitaros cream?
Yes, you will need a prescription from a doctor to obtain Vitaros cream, it cannot be bought over the counter. Vitaros cream is also not available on the NHS except in special circumstances, so you will need a private prescription from a service like Asda Online Doctor.
How often can I use Vitaros cream?
You can only use Vitaros cream a maximum of 2 to 3 times per week and it can only be applied once in 24 hours.
Does Vitaros cream have long-term side effects?
Vitaros shouldn't produce any long-term side effects. If you do experience any side effects listed or not and you are concerned, you should contact your doctor.
After completing her first degree, she went on to study graduate-entry medicine at Warwick University. After graduating as a doctor, she worked within the West Midlands in Urology, Respiratory Medicine, Infectious Disease, and Psychiatry before transitioning into a full-time medical communications role.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 11 Dec 2024
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Erectile dysfunction: Alprostadil cream, NICE [accessed 20 November 2024]
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Erectile dysfunction (impotence), NHS [accessed 20 November 2024]
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Erectile dysfunction (impotence), NHS [accessed 20 Nov 2024]
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Erectile dysfunction: Alprostadil cream, NICE [accessed 20 Nov 2024]
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Vitaros 3 mg/g cream, emc [accessed 20 November 2024]