Muse 1000mcg Suppositories

Manufacturer MEDA Active Ingredient Alprostadil Urethral Suppository(al PROS ta dill) Pronunciation al-PROS-ta-dill
It is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).Some products may be used to help test for ED.
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Drug Class
Erectile Dysfunction Agent
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Pharmacologic Class
Prostaglandin E1 Analog; Vasodilator
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Pregnancy Category
Not available
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FDA Approved
Nov 1996
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DEA Schedule
Not Controlled

Overview

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What is this medicine?

MUSE is a small pellet that you insert into the tip of your penis (urethra) to help you get and keep an erection. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis.
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How to Use This Medicine

Proper Use of This Medication

To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all provided information carefully. This medication is designed for insertion into the urethra, the tube through which urine passes. Your doctor will provide personalized guidance on how to use it. Make sure you understand the proper technique before proceeding.

Before using the medication, empty your bladder by urinating. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the medication to maintain cleanliness. For optimal effectiveness, use the medication as directed by your healthcare provider.

Storage and Disposal

Store unopened foil pouches in the refrigerator to maintain the medication's potency.

Missed Dose

Since this medication is used as needed, there is no scheduled dosing regimen. However, do not use it more frequently than recommended by your doctor. If you have questions or concerns about using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
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Lifestyle & Tips

  • Urinate immediately before using MUSE to moisten the urethra and help with absorption.
  • Follow the instructions carefully for proper insertion technique.
  • Do not use more than two doses in 24 hours or seven doses in a week.
  • Avoid using alcohol before or immediately after using MUSE, as it can increase the risk of dizziness or fainting.
  • MUSE does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy. Use condoms if needed.
  • Wait at least 30 minutes after insertion before engaging in sexual activity to allow the drug to work and to minimize the risk of transferring the drug to your partner.

Dosing & Administration

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Adult Dosing

Standard Dose: Titrated from 125 mcg or 250 mcg up to 1000 mcg as needed for erection, not more than twice in 24 hours and not more than 7 times per week.
Dose Range: 125 - 1000 mg

Condition-Specific Dosing:

initialDose: Start with 125 mcg or 250 mcg. If partial response, increase dose. If no response, increase dose. If full response, maintain dose.
maximumFrequency: Not more than two doses in a 24-hour period and not more than seven doses in a 7-day period.
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Pediatric Dosing

Neonatal: Not established
Infant: Not established
Child: Not established
Adolescent: Not established
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Dose Adjustments

Renal Impairment:

Mild: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.
Moderate: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.
Severe: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.
Dialysis: No specific considerations due to minimal systemic absorption.

Hepatic Impairment:

Mild: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.
Moderate: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.
Severe: No specific adjustment recommended due to minimal systemic absorption.

Pharmacology

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Mechanism of Action

Alprostadil is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). It acts by binding to PGE1 receptors in the corpus cavernosum, leading to activation of adenylate cyclase and an increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Increased cAMP levels cause relaxation of the cavernosal smooth muscle and vasodilation of the penile arteries, resulting in increased blood flow into the lacunar spaces and subsequent penile erection.
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Pharmacokinetics

Absorption:

Bioavailability: Minimal systemic (primarily local effect)
Tmax: 5-10 minutes (local effect)
FoodEffect: Not applicable (urethral administration)

Distribution:

Vd: Not well-defined for local administration
ProteinBinding: Approximately 81% (for alprostadil and its metabolites systemically)
CnssPenetration: Minimal

Elimination:

HalfLife: Minutes (local alprostadil); ~30 minutes (systemic metabolites)
Clearance: Rapid local and systemic clearance
ExcretionRoute: Primarily renal (90% of metabolites) and fecal (10% of metabolites)
Unchanged: Negligible systemically
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Pharmacodynamics

OnsetOfAction: 5-10 minutes
PeakEffect: 5-20 minutes
DurationOfAction: 30-60 minutes (or duration of erection)

Safety & Warnings

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Side Effects

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Redness, lumps, swelling, tenderness, or curving of the erection (hard penis)
Irritation at the injection site
Chest pain or pressure, or a rapid heartbeat
Dizziness or fainting
Severe headache
Shortness of breath
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Swelling of the leg veins

If you experience a painful erection or an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours, seek medical help immediately. This can occur even when you are not engaging in sexual activity. If left untreated, it may lead to permanent sexual dysfunction and impotence.

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor for advice:

Penile pain
Warm or burning sensation in the urethra
Aching in the penis, testicles, legs, or perineal area (between the penis and rectum)

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:

  • Erection lasting longer than 4 hours (priapism) - seek immediate medical attention.
  • Severe penile pain or discomfort.
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (especially after the first few doses).
  • Significant urethral bleeding or spotting.
  • Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing).
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Before Using This Medicine

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions to ensure safe treatment:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you have been advised against engaging in sexual activity due to health concerns.
If you have a deformed penis, penile implant, or other penile problems.
If you have been diagnosed with polycythemia or thrombocythemia.
If you have any of the following health conditions: leukemia, multiple myeloma, sickle cell anemia, or other conditions that may increase the risk of painful erections (priapism) or prolonged erections lasting more than 4 hours. If you are unsure about your condition, consult your doctor.
If you are female, as this medication is not approved for use in women.

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health problems with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help you determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other treatments. Do not initiate, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without consulting your doctor first.
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Precautions & Cautions

Important Warnings and Precautions

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

Caution with Daily Activities
Until you know how this medication affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness. To minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, stand up slowly after sitting or lying down, and exercise caution when climbing stairs.

Interactions with Alcohol
Discuss your alcohol consumption with your doctor before drinking while taking this medication.

Sexual Health and Disease Prevention
This medication does not protect against the transmission of diseases like HIV or hepatitis through sexual contact. Always use a latex or polyurethane condom during sexual activity to reduce the risk of disease transmission. If you have questions or concerns, consult your doctor.

Pregnancy and Birth Control
If your sexual partner is capable of becoming pregnant, use a reliable form of birth control to prevent pregnancy. If your partner is already pregnant, use a condom during sexual activity to minimize potential risks.

Pediatric Use
This medication is not approved for use in children. Consult with your doctor to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
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Overdose Information

Overdose Symptoms:

  • Prolonged erection (priapism)
  • Severe penile pain
  • Significant hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Dizziness or fainting

What to Do:

If an erection lasts longer than 4 hours, seek immediate medical attention. Management of priapism may involve aspiration of blood from the corpus cavernosum or intracavernosal injection of an alpha-adrenergic agonist (e.g., phenylephrine). For severe hypotension, supportive measures such as lying down and fluid administration may be necessary. Call 911 or your local emergency number. For general overdose information, contact a poison control center (e.g., 1-800-222-1222 in the US).

Drug Interactions

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Moderate Interactions

  • Antihypertensives (e.g., alpha-blockers): Potential for additive hypotensive effects, though systemic absorption is minimal.
  • Other erectile dysfunction treatments (e.g., PDE5 inhibitors, intracavernosal injections): Concomitant use is not recommended due to increased risk of priapism and hypotension.

Monitoring

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Baseline Monitoring

Patient education on proper administration technique

Rationale: Ensures efficacy and minimizes local side effects.

Timing: Before first use

Assessment of cardiovascular status

Rationale: To identify patients for whom sexual activity is inadvisable due to underlying cardiovascular risk.

Timing: Prior to initiation

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Routine Monitoring

Efficacy of erection

Frequency: With each use

Target: Sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse

Action Threshold: If insufficient erection, consider dose adjustment or alternative therapy.

Duration of erection

Frequency: With each use

Target: < 4 hours

Action Threshold: If erection lasts > 4 hours (priapism), seek immediate medical attention.

Local adverse effects (e.g., penile pain, urethral bleeding)

Frequency: With each use

Target: Minimal to none

Action Threshold: If severe or persistent, discontinue use and consult physician.

Systemic adverse effects (e.g., dizziness, hypotension)

Frequency: With each use, especially initial doses

Target: None

Action Threshold: If significant, advise patient to lie down, and consider discontinuing use.

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Symptom Monitoring

  • Penile pain
  • Urethral bleeding or spotting
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Fainting (syncope)
  • Priapism (erection lasting longer than 4 hours)
  • Testicular pain
  • Headache

Special Patient Groups

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Pregnancy

Not applicable for male patients. Alprostadil is a prostaglandin. While systemic absorption from urethral administration is minimal, male patients should use a condom if their partner is pregnant or may become pregnant, as a precautionary measure.

Trimester-Specific Risks:

First Trimester: Not applicable for male patients.
Second Trimester: Not applicable for male patients.
Third Trimester: Not applicable for male patients.
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Lactation

Not applicable for male patients. Minimal systemic absorption makes transfer to breast milk unlikely if used by a male patient.

Infant Risk: Not applicable for male patients.
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Pediatric Use

Not indicated for use in pediatric patients. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

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Geriatric Use

No specific dose adjustment is required based on age alone. However, older patients may have underlying cardiovascular conditions or be on multiple medications, which should be considered. The risk of dizziness or fainting may be slightly higher in this population.

Clinical Information

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Clinical Pearls

  • Proper administration technique is crucial for the effectiveness of MUSE. Patients should be thoroughly instructed on how to use the applicator and insert the suppository.
  • Patients should urinate immediately before using MUSE to moisten the urethra, which aids in absorption and reduces discomfort.
  • Advise patients to sit or lie down for about 10 minutes after administration to minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, especially with the first few doses.
  • MUSE is not a first-line treatment for ED for many patients due to its invasive nature and potential for local side effects, but it is a valuable option for those who cannot use or do not respond to oral PDE5 inhibitors.
  • Emphasize the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for priapism (erection lasting >4 hours) to prevent permanent penile damage.
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Alternative Therapies

  • Oral Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil)
  • Intracavernosal Injections (e.g., alprostadil, trimix, bimix)
  • Vacuum Erection Devices (VEDs)
  • Penile Implants (prostheses)
  • Lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol reduction)
  • Psychological counseling
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Cost & Coverage

Average Cost: Varies, typically $300-$600 per 6 suppositories
Generic Available: Yes
Insurance Coverage: Often Tier 3 or non-preferred, may require prior authorization or be excluded by some insurance plans for erectile dysfunction.
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General Drug Facts

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide detailed information about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.