Quad-mix is a compounded medication containing papaverine, atropine, phentolamine, and alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) that can be prescribed for men who have erectile dysfunction and for whom other PDE-5 oral medications have failed.  It is injected directly into the penis to promote an erection within 10-15 minutes before intercourse. Compounding medicines is a special practice through which pharmacists can create tailored medications matching the specific needs of the individual patient. Quad-mix combines four chemicals in the precise strengths that meet the specifications of a prescription. Papavarine is a smooth muscle relaxant and vasodilator. Phentolamine causes blood vessels to expand, which increases blood flow. Alprostadil also acts as a smooth muscle relaxant and dilator of blood vessels. Atropine decreases the outflow of blood from the penis, helping to maintain the erection. The four chemicals combine synergistically to create a more effective treatment for erectile dysfunction than each one individually.

Dosage

Only use Quad-mix as prescribed. Usually, presribing doctors will arrange for the first dose to be administerd under the supervision of a trained healthcare provider, so that any side effects can be monitored and the proper procedure of administration can be demonstrated. The dose should be injected over 5 to 10 seconds into the base of the penis, until it has been completely injected.  This will allow blood to flow into the two hollow chambers (corpus caversnosa) that lie along the length of the shaft of the penis, and facilitate a full erection. Quad-mix must not be injected more than once per day, and not more than two days in a row. The advised maximum use is three times per week, unless this has been approved by a doctor.

Options

Quad-mix can be prescribed in the following combinations of the four components: (Alprostadil/Papverine/Phentolamine/Atropine):

• Quad-Mix #2: 20mcg/30mg/2mg/100mcg/mL
• Quad-Mix #3: 30mcg/30mg/3mg/200mcg/mL
• Quad-Mix #4: 60mcg/30mg/3mg/200mcg/mL.

Storage

Store this medication away from the reach of infants and children. The unused doses should be kept in a refrigerator before use, in temperatures between 2°C/37°F and 8°C/48°F sealed from moisture. Allow the dose to reach room temperature before use. Please read our friendly tips on handling medicine safely.

Q&A

Are penile injections better than PDE-5 meds? Research has shown that injectable therapies such as Quad-mix can trigger an without the need for sexual stimulation and achievement of some hardening. On the other hand oral medications such as PDE-5 drugs like Viagra require sexual stimulation to cause the start of an erection. Quad-mix can also overcome issued of drug absorption that do occur with other oral medications. How long does a penile injection last? After an injection with Quad-mix, the penis can start to swell without physical stimulation. The effect of the combined druds is to cause blood to flow into the hollow chambers of the penis, and to restrict the outflow. The erection can happens within 10 to 15 minutes of the injection and will last up to an hour.