Nitroglycerin Cream for ED

Nitroglycerin cream is used as an alternative treatment for erectile dysfunction in men. As a topical treatment, it works differently than most medications for ED that are taken orally like sildenafil and tadalafil.

Oral medications for ED work for many men. However there are some men who do not get the effects they are looking for with PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil. A topical product is an alternative administration route that may provide a faster onset of action than an oral medication. In addition, the topical administration allows the regular consumption of alcohol and food (both of which can affect the use of sildenafil/tadalafil).

A version of nitroglycerin topical is being developed and currently available in some other countries, although there is not yet an FDA approved version available in the U.S. However a compounding pharmacy can make a nitroglycerin cream in a few different strengths.

How Does Nitroglycerin Cream Work?

For erectile dysfunction, nitroglycerin cream helps improve blood flow to the penis. In a placebo controlled study of patients using nitroglycerin cream, it was found that the number of subjects demonstrating an increase in penile circumference after nitroglycerin (18 of 26) was significantly higher than other outcomes. Noninvasive vascular assessment using ultrasonography demonstrated an increase in diameter and blood flow in the cavernous arteries after application of the topical nitroglycerin.

Using nitroglycerin cream is contraindicated in patients with heart disease or low-blood pressure. Using any medication that contains nitroglycerin can lead to a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure. In addition, patients generally should not use this cream in combination with any other treatment for ED such as PDE5 inhibitors. Patients should always tell their doctor all medications they use prior to initiating a new treatment.

Compared to an oral medication, a topical cream applied directly to the penis may have fewer side effects. Oral medications have gastrointestinal side effects and may have other systemic effects. Some oral PDE5 inhibitors, for example, must not be taken close to eating or drinking as they will alter the drug’s effects.

What is Nitroglycerin?

Nitroglycerin, also sometimes called glyceryl trinitrate, is an organic nitrate compound first synthesized in the 1800s and thereafter used in the manufacturing of dynamite. It has been used for almost as long as a medication because it is a vasodilator. It has been prescribed to treat heart conditions for many years, and has at times been studied for treating erectile dysfunction. Recently however interest has surged as placebo controlled clinical trials have been published demonstrating the effectiveness of a nitroglycerin cream for treating ED.

Articles

Topical nitroglycerin: a potential treatment for impotence – American Urological Association

Efficacy and Safety of MED2005, a Topical Glyceryl Trinitrate Formulation, in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Randomized Crossover Study – Journal of Sexual Medicine