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Pharmacologically-induced Recreational Priapism: Case Report and Review.
Grace Kunas1, Janet A Smereck2, Diana Ladkany2
1Abrazo Health, Department of Emergency Medicine, Goodyear, Arizona.
Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
|November 20, 2020
Summary
Recreational use of erectile dysfunction medications and illicit drugs can cause prolonged priapism, a medical emergency. Prompt treatment, including aspiration and irrigation, is crucial for detumescence.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Priapism is a urologic emergency with diverse causes including medications and recreational drugs.
- Delayed presentation for priapism can lead to severe complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of ischemic priapism resulting from recreational drug and nonprescribed medication use.
- To emphasize the risks associated with combining various vasoactive substances.
Main Methods:
- A 51-year-old male presented with prolonged ischemic priapism.
- Treatment involved intracavernosal phenylephrine injection, aspiration, and irrigation.
- Diagnostic confirmation via venous blood gas analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful detumescence was achieved with the described interventions.
- The patient's condition was linked to recreational use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, injected erectile medications, cocaine, and alcohol.
Conclusions:
- Recreational use of vasoactive medications and drugs poses a risk for developing ischemic priapism.
- Patients seeking to prolong sexual activity with such substances may delay seeking emergency care.
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