As many as 50% to 89% of men with diabetes experience some degree of erectile dysfunction, usually as a result of the vascular and autonomic dysfunctions that often accompany uncontrolled hyperglycemia. While there are many medications that are commercially available for treating ED, there are still many patients who are not helped by these and other  traditional therapies. In many cases, these patients can be helped by a compounding pharmacist, who has a wide range of options beyond the tradition methods of treating ED.

Compounding allows for customized dosages of hormone replacement therapy, which can be prepared according to the needs of the individual patient. Achieving a proper balance of testosterone, along with regulating adrenal hormones, may be all it takes for some men to experience improved erectile  function.

If a hormone imbalance is ruled out as the underlying cause, there are still a number of treatment options available. For  example, a sublingual form of sildenafil can be prepared, which may be a more effective dosage form for men who are not getting the desired results from sildenafil tablets or other PDE5 inhibitors.  Sildenafil in tablet form has limited bioavailability because of first-pass metabolism, while sublingual doses are not affected by digestion.  Studies show that the  sublingual form generally acts faster than the tablet form and requires a smaller dose, thus reducing the side effects which may be a concern with the tablets.

Another treatment option in ED is intercavernosal penile  injections, which are among the most effective for men with  ED. The mechanism of action of these medications is increasing penile blood flow. Most men find that with the use of a 28 to 30 gauge needle, this type of therapy causes a  minimal amount of discomfort and patients also have the ability to adjust the dose to exactly what is needed to achieve erection.**

Pharmacy Innovations can compound intercavernosal  injections in a variety of strengths, as well as many other  compounds to help treat your ED patients.

** International  Journal of Pharmaceutical Compounding Vol 11, No 2 Mar/April 2007