Needleless injection systems are not currently a viable alternative to needle-tipped intracavernosal alprostadil delivery, say researchers from the Institute of Urology and Nephrology, UCL hospitals, London.
Nine patients received alprostadil on alternate weeks using a high pressure needleless injection system and a needle-tipped syringe (at doses they would normally use). Patients reported significantly more pain with the needleless system than with the needle-tipped variety. More than half the patients experienced bruising with the needleless injector, the researchers report. They add that, at equal doses, the needleless system was less effective than the needle-tipped injector. Most patients preferred the needle-tipped syringe. The researchers conclude that modifications are needed to the needleless system to prevent bruising and pain in order for such systems to be useful for intracavernosal application. The study was presented as a poster at the Pain Society's annual scientific meeting at the University of Warwick on April 3-5.