Management of impotence due to spinal cord injury using low dose papaverine

Erectile dysfunction is a common complication of spinal cord injury. Of the 68 spinal cord injured men in whom treatment with papaverine was initiated a therapeutic dosage was determined in 50 (74%). Papaverine was injected into the base of one corpora cavernosum. The dose started at 3 mg and was increased at weekly or longer intervals until an effective dose was determined. There were 15 (30%) men with tetraplegia and 35 (70%) men with paraplegia. The dosage of papaverine did not relate to the level or extent of injury. Doses of 12 mg or less were used in 56% of patients. Low dose papaverine is a safe and effective means of restoring erections in spinal cord injured men.