Comparing Prescription vs. Over-the-Counter ED Creams

The gel, called MED3000, will be sold under the brand name Erexon. Directions say to rub a pea-size amount onto the head of the penis for 15 second before sex and suggest it should work within 10 minutes.

• Topical creams offer a non-invasive approach compared to injections or surgery.
• They can be used on demand or as part of a scheduled treatment plan.
• Compatibility with condoms and lubricants should be verified to avoid degradation.
• Some creams may need to be applied 15-30 minutes before intimacy.
• Monitoring for side effects ensures safe and effective treatment.

The gel does not contain any drugs, instead it has ingredients like alcohol, glycerin, and carbomer and works locally by offering a rapid cooling sensation. Even the principal investigator on MED3000’s clinical trials is not quite sure why this works but he told the Washington Post that “it seems to generate enough sensitivity to cause an erection.” Futura, the gel’s manufacturer, has said that by the end of one clinical trial (which only included 96 men), 85 percent of participants who used MED3000 said they felt sex could be spontaneous at least some of the time. The product also worked faster than PDE5 drug. Futura admitted, however, that the oral medications worked better. The company has not released the full clinical trial data citing concerns about competition. It’s not known when the product will hit shelves in the U.S. though some industry analysts say it could be as late as 2025. We also don’t know what the price will be here, but the gel is already available in the UK where a four pack costs £24.99 (or about $31.00). Skip to main content 20% OFF $50+ sitewide* with code MAY20 Get $10 in rewards* on $50+ in store or online thru 5/30 BOGO 50% OFF select same-brand skin & sun care Account Menu Account Sign in Create an account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Sign in Create an account Account Back Account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Close main menu Pharmacy Back Pharmacy Home Prescriptions Back Prescriptions Refills Orders Records Transfer Rx to Walgreens Request new Rx Auto Refills Drug info Close main menu Contact Lenses Back Contact Lenses Reorder Contact Lenses Shop All Contact Lenses Solutions, Drops & Cases Eye Health Supplements Shop Contact Lenses Close main menu More Services Back More Services Pharmacy Chat Refill with Rx Number Mail Service Pharmacy Specialty Pharmacy Easy Rx Delivery Medication Compounding Nebulizer Services Rx Savings Finder Close main menu Settings Back Settings Emails & Notifications ExpressPay Make a Payment Family Prescriptions Insurance Cap Preference Label Preferences Health History Your Account Close main menu Close main menu Health Services Back Health Services Explore all Health Services Vaccinations Test for COVID-19 & Flu Treatment for COVID-19 & Flu Online Doctor Visit Weight Management In-person Care MyWalgreens Health Access™ Find Rx Coverage Clinical Trials Health Articles Close main menu Shop Back Shop Shop All FIFA World Cup 2026 Summer Essentials Allergy & Sinus Grocery & Beverages Beauty Personal Care Contact Lenses Household & Pet Essentials Medicines & Treatments Sexual Wellness Vitamins & Supplements Baby & Kids Toys, Games & Books Home Health Care Solutions Walgreens Brand Fitness & Nutrition Party Supplies Gift Cards Incontinence First Aid Online Clearance Sale Shop by Brand Buy Again Close main menu Savings Back Savings Coupons Clearance Weekly Ad myWalgreens® Close main menu Photo Back Photo Photo Home Your Photos Upload Photos Prints Photo Books Cards & Stationery Calendars Posters Canvas & Décor Gifts and More Passport Photos Deals All Photo Products Close main menu Financial Services Back Financial Services Financial Services Home Gift Cards Corporate and Bulk Gift Cards myWalgreens® Credit Card Scarlet® Bank Account Reloadable Debit Cards Western Union Close main menu Weekly Ad Vaccinations Español Account Menu Account Sign in Create an account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Español Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common patient concern, and its prevalence is strongly associated with age.

Data from the US National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that 8.2% of men between ages 40-49 years and 77.5% of men greater than 75 years old suffer from erectile dysfunction.1 The prevalence of ED was also associated with other conditions such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity.1 ED is most commonly managed with prescription phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors used orally such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.1 Commercially available injectables for ED such as alprostadil or phentolamine mesylate injections are also sometimes used.

• Alprostadil is a common topical agent for ED from prescription creams.
• These creams act locally and have fewer systemic side effects.
• They often take about 10-20 minutes to show effects.
• Usage involves a small amount applied to the penile shaft.
• Proper dosage and application are critical for safety and effectiveness.

Compounded options for ED often include combination injectable products such as phentolamine mesylate/papaverine HCl/alprostadil combinations, commonly referred to as “Tri-mix”. Tri-mix injections can be associated with serious side effects. One study evaluating trimix use and reasons for dropout in 189 patients noted that 30% of patients discontinued Tri-mix due to lack of efficacy, 5.2% experienced fibrosis or scarring, and 3.7% reported priapism.2 While Tri-mix works well for many patients, adverse effects make this route inappropriate for some patients creating a need for alternatives.

Conclusion: Make the Change That Matters Most

In this newsletter, we will discuss existing evidence for the use of topically administered treatments, for the management of ED. Alprostadil is available in the United States as an injectable for ED as well as an intraurethral suppository, but in other countries, there are alternatives such as intraurethral alprostadil. Vitaros is an intraurethral cream available in some European countries as well as Canada. It is 3mg/g alprostadil and is packaged in single dose syringes carrying 100mg of cream, equivalent to 300mcg alprostadil. Phase II and III trials demonstrated up to 83% efficacy with this product with only 3% of the treated population reporting systemic adverse effects.3 In addition to intraurethral administration, some studies have also evaluated topical/transdermal use.

One study of alprostadil 1% had patients apply 0.25ml of alprostadil 1% or placebo gel to the glans penis. The study reported better responses to the alprostadil treatment at all timepoints, with greatest differences noted at 45 and 60 minutes after application. The study noted that of the tested patients 38.9% in the treatment group and 6.9% in the placebo group achieved an erection deemed sufficient for penetration.4 Some studies have also evaluated papaverine HCl for transdermal use. One study of drug release of papaverine HCl in a gel vehicle found an alcohol-containing penetration enhancer resulted in drug penetration both in vitro and in vivo in rabbits.

Beyond Creams: A Holistic Approach to Men’s Health

The study suggested that their results supported the use of penetration enhancer to deliver papaverine HCl transdermally.5 Another study evaluated 15% and stay hard pills 20% papaverine HCl gel applied to the scrotum, perineum, and penis. Patient response was evaluated 45 minutes after treatment. The treatment was well tolerated and papaverine HCl was minimally systemically absorbed, the researchers hypothesized that effects seen, mainly increase in duration of erection compared to placebo, were a result of local rather than systemic absorption.6 Phentolamine mesylate, while sometimes included in transdermal erectile dysfunction combination products, has not currently been studied in well controlled trials for its potentially efficacy via the transdermal route.

What Are Topical Creams for Erectile Dysfunction?

In the gel group, 25% of patients achieved complete or moderate erections compared to 75% of the tablet group. Though oral tablets demonstrated increased likelihood of complete or moderate erection, both groups did see benefit and onset of erection in the patients who applied sildenafil gel was 7.4 ±3.6 minutes, but was 37.8 ± 14.9 minutes in the group who used oral tablets.7 Though there aren’t many other studies on sildenafil cream topical for erectile dysfunction, other studies for conditions such as Raynaud’s have demonstrated benefit and increased blood flow as a result of local administration of sildenafil 5% cream, further suggesting that sildenafil may be absorbed from topical administration.8 Though currently information regarding other in vivo studies on other PDE5 inhibitors topically for erectile dysfunction are not available, some studies have found benefit for tadalafil used topically for Raynaud’s, suggesting transdermal penetration and potential local efficacy.9 Future studies are needed to confirm the potential of tadalafil as a topical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Other active ingredients used transdermally to increase blood flow are sometimes also considered for combination topical ED mediations. Arginine, sometimes used at 3-6% in female sexual dysfunction creams, was found in a study of diabetic patients to improve blood flow. These patients applied transdermal arginine 12.5% cream to the feet and noted improved blood flow with a doppler flow meter and with an infrared thermometer 30 minutes after application.10 Despite this promising information, not enough data yet exists to suggest that arginine transdermal is appropriate for the management of ED.

Sex therapy

Though there is limited information to support transdermal application of medication for ED, some data exists to suggest efficacy. The transdermal route could be considered for patients who prefer not to use oral or injectable medications. Check out the Fagron Academy site for related formulas. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to Fagron Academy Technical Support Services! Relationship between age and erectile dysfunction diagnosis or treatment using real-world observational data in the United States. Sildenafil is a PDE5 Inhibitor commercially available for oral use for ED, but there is some information to suggest that it may be efficacious transdermally as well. One placebo-controlled study compared sildenafil 1% gel to sildenafil 100mg tablets.

What is the Best Cream for Erectile Dysfunction Treatment in India?

The gel, called MED3000, will be sold under the brand name Erexon. Directions say to rub a pea-size amount onto the head of the penis for 15 second before sex and suggest it should work within 10 minutes. The gel does not contain any drugs, instead it has ingredients like alcohol, glycerin, and carbomer and works locally by offering a rapid cooling sensation. Even the principal investigator on MED3000’s clinical trials is not quite sure why this works but he told the Washington Post that “it seems to generate enough sensitivity to cause an erection.” Futura, the gel’s manufacturer, has said that by the end of one clinical trial (which only included 96 men), 85 percent of participants who used MED3000 said they felt sex could be spontaneous at least some of the time. The product also worked faster than PDE5 drug.

Change of medication

Futura admitted, however, that the oral medications worked better. The company has not released the full clinical trial data citing concerns about competition. It’s not known when the product will hit shelves in the U.S. though some industry analysts say it could be as late as 2025. We also don’t know what the price will be here, but the gel is already available in the UK where a four pack costs £24.99 (or about $31.00). The topical gel group applied 0.5g of sildenafil 1% gel to the glans of the penis approximately 5 minutes before sexual activity and the tablet group took a 100mg tablet 1 hour before sexual activity. In the gel group, 25% of patients achieved complete or moderate erections compared to 75% of the tablet group.

How ED Creams Work: The Science Behind the Solutions

Though oral tablets demonstrated increased likelihood of complete or moderate erection, both groups did see benefit and onset of erection in the patients who applied sildenafil gel was 7.4 ±3.6 minutes, but was 37.8 ± 14.9 minutes in the group who used oral tablets.7 Though there aren’t many other studies on sildenafil cream topical for erectile dysfunction, other studies for conditions such as Raynaud’s have demonstrated benefit and increased blood flow as a result of local administration of sildenafil 5% cream, further suggesting that sildenafil may be absorbed from topical administration.8 Though currently information regarding other in vivo studies on other PDE5 inhibitors topically for erectile dysfunction are not available, some studies have found benefit for tadalafil used topically for Raynaud’s, suggesting transdermal penetration and potential local efficacy.9 Future studies are needed to confirm the potential of tadalafil as a topical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Other active ingredients used transdermally to increase blood flow are sometimes also considered for combination topical ED mediations.

Who Should Avoid Topical ED Creams?

Skip to main content 20% OFF $50+ sitewide* with code MAY20 Get $10 in rewards* on $50+ in store or online thru 5/30 BOGO 50% OFF select same-brand skin & sun care Account Menu Account Sign in Create an account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Sign in Create an account Account Back Account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Close main menu Pharmacy Back Pharmacy Home Prescriptions Back Prescriptions Refills Orders Records Transfer Rx to Walgreens Request new Rx Auto Refills Drug info Close main menu Contact Lenses Back Contact Lenses Reorder Contact Lenses Shop All Contact Lenses Solutions, Drops & Cases Eye Health Supplements Shop Contact Lenses Close main menu More Services Back More Services Pharmacy Chat Refill with Rx Number Mail Service Pharmacy Specialty Pharmacy Easy Rx Delivery Medication Compounding Nebulizer Services Rx Savings Finder Close main menu Settings Back Settings Emails & Notifications ExpressPay Make a Payment Family Prescriptions Insurance Cap Preference Label Preferences Health History Your Account Close main menu Close main menu Health Services Back Health Services Explore all Health Services Vaccinations Test for COVID-19 & Flu Treatment for COVID-19 & Flu Online Doctor Visit Weight Management In-person Care MyWalgreens Health Access™ Find Rx Coverage Clinical Trials Health Articles Close main menu Shop Back Shop Shop All FIFA World Cup 2026 Summer Essentials Allergy & Sinus Grocery & Beverages Beauty Personal Care Contact Lenses Household & Pet Essentials Medicines & Treatments Sexual Wellness Vitamins & Supplements Baby & Kids Toys, Games & Books Home Health Care Solutions Walgreens Brand Fitness & Nutrition Party Supplies Gift Cards Incontinence First Aid Online Clearance Sale Shop by Brand Buy Again Close main menu Savings Back Savings Coupons Clearance Weekly Ad myWalgreens® Close main menu Photo Back Photo Photo Home Your Photos Upload Photos Prints Photo Books Cards & Stationery Calendars Posters Canvas & Décor Gifts and More Passport Photos Deals All Photo Products Close main menu Financial Services Back Financial Services Financial Services Home Gift Cards Corporate and Bulk Gift Cards myWalgreens® Credit Card Scarlet® Bank Account Reloadable Debit Cards Western Union Close main menu Weekly Ad Vaccinations Español Account Menu Account Sign in Create an account Your Account Walgreens Cash Rewards Prescription Refills & Status Vaccination Records Order Status & History Buy It Again Español Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common patient concern, and its prevalence is strongly associated with age. Data from the US National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey suggests that 8.2% of men between ages 40-49 years and 77.5% of men greater than 75 years old suffer from erectile dysfunction.1 The prevalence of ED was also associated with other conditions such as diabetes mellitus, smoking, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity.1 ED is most commonly managed with prescription phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors used orally such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil.1 Commercially available injectables for ED such as alprostadil or phentolamine mesylate injections are also sometimes used. Compounded options for ED often include combination injectable products such as phentolamine mesylate/papaverine HCl/alprostadil combinations, commonly referred to as “Tri-mix”. Tri-mix injections can be associated with serious side effects. One study evaluating trimix use and reasons for dropout in 189 patients noted that 30% of patients discontinued Tri-mix due to lack of efficacy, 5.2% experienced fibrosis or scarring, and 3.7% reported priapism.2 While Tri-mix works well for many patients, adverse effects make this route inappropriate for some patients creating a need for alternatives.

Papaverine Gel

In this newsletter, we will discuss existing evidence for the use of topically administered treatments, for the management of ED. Alprostadil is available in the United States as an injectable for ED as well as an intraurethral suppository, but in other countries, there are alternatives such as intraurethral alprostadil. Vitaros is an intraurethral cream available in some European countries as well as Canada. It is 3mg/g alprostadil and is packaged in single dose syringes carrying 100mg of cream, equivalent to 300mcg alprostadil. Phase II and III trials demonstrated up to 83% efficacy with this product with only 3% of the treated population reporting systemic adverse effects.3 In addition to intraurethral administration, some studies have also evaluated topical/transdermal use. Arginine, sometimes used at 3-6% in female sexual dysfunction creams, was found in a study of diabetic patients to improve blood flow. These patients applied transdermal arginine 12.5% cream to the feet and noted improved blood flow with a doppler flow meter and with an infrared thermometer 30 minutes after application.10 Despite this promising information, not enough data yet exists to suggest that arginine transdermal is appropriate for the management of ED. Though there is limited information to support transdermal application of medication for ED, some data exists to suggest efficacy.

The transdermal route could be considered for patients who prefer not to use oral or injectable medications. Check out the Fagron Academy site for related formulas. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to Fagron Academy Technical Support Services!

Alprostadil Topical Erectile Dysfunction Cream (e.g., Vitaros, Stardill)

One study of alprostadil 1% had patients apply 0.25ml of alprostadil 1% or placebo gel to the glans penis. The study reported better responses to the alprostadil treatment at all timepoints, with greatest differences noted at 45 and 60 minutes after application. The study noted that of the tested patients 38.9% in the treatment group and 6.9% in the placebo group achieved an erection deemed sufficient for penetration.4 Some studies have also evaluated papaverine HCl for transdermal use. One study of drug release of papaverine HCl in a gel vehicle found an alcohol-containing penetration enhancer resulted in drug penetration both in vitro and in vivo in rabbits. The study suggested that their results supported the use of penetration enhancer to deliver papaverine HCl transdermally.5 Another study evaluated 15% and stay hard pills 20% papaverine HCl gel applied to the scrotum, perineum, and penis.

Weight loss

Patient response was evaluated 45 minutes after treatment. The treatment was well tolerated and papaverine HCl was minimally systemically absorbed, the researchers hypothesized that effects seen, mainly increase in duration of erection compared to placebo, were a result of local rather than systemic absorption.6 Phentolamine mesylate, while sometimes included in transdermal erectile dysfunction combination products, has not currently been studied in well controlled trials for its potentially efficacy via the transdermal route. Sildenafil is a PDE5 Inhibitor commercially available for oral use for ED, but there is some information to suggest that it may be efficacious transdermally as well. One placebo-controlled study compared sildenafil 1% gel to sildenafil 100mg tablets. The topical gel group applied 0.5g of sildenafil 1% gel to the glans of the penis approximately 5 minutes before sexual activity and the tablet group took a 100mg tablet 1 hour before sexual activity. Relationship between age and erectile dysfunction diagnosis or treatment using real-world observational data in the United States.