ED guide · Treatments

ED Shot: How Penile Injections Work, Risks and Costs

Short answer

An ED shot usually means a prescription injection into the penis: FDA-approved CAVERJECT (alprostadil) and EDEX (alprostadil) contain alprostadil and have an expected erection onset of 5–20 minutes. Compounded trimix is a different option and is FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved; a P-shot is a separate procedure, discussed below.

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On this page Jump to a section
  1. Key facts
  2. What each path includes
  3. Types of ED shot and their FDA status
  4. CAVERJECT vs EDEX: what the labels say
  5. Shot or tablet: questions for your clinician
  6. Published injection costs: compare what the quote covers
  7. What to bring to your ED visit
  8. Mendoxa plans and prices
  9. FAQ
  10. How we wrote this
  11. Sources and references

Key facts at a glance

Shot timing
Alprostadil: expected erection within 5–20 minutes; goal no longer than 1 hourCAVERJECT (alprostadil) · accessed Oct 20, 2026
Frequency limit
Alprostadil: no more than 3 times weekly, at least 24 hours apartEDEX (alprostadil) · accessed Oct 20, 2026
Emergency threshold
After alprostadil, seek immediate medical help if an erection lasts longer than 4 hoursCAVERJECT (alprostadil) · accessed Oct 20, 2026
Compounded status
Trimix and the Mendoxa compounded tablet are not FDA-approvedFDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved · accessed Oct 20, 2026

What each path includes

Choose the kind of visit you need before comparing costs; an injection prescription and an online tablet visit involve different decisions.

  • Prescription alprostadil shot: discuss clinician-set dose titration, injection instructions and a home-use schedule from the CAVERJECT (alprostadil) and EDEX (alprostadil) labels; ask which supplies your prescription includes.
  • Compounded trimix: ask the prescriber which formulation and pharmacy will be used, and request a written use and emergency plan; FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. The alprostadil-only CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label is not a trimix label.
  • P-shot or GAINSWave consultation: ask the clinic for the evidence, number of sessions and an itemized quote before committing; do not treat a procedure quote as an injection prescription.
  • Mendoxa tablet visit: an online assessment by Independent licensed providers, with a compounded rapid-dissolve tablet if prescribed; Mendoxa does not offer injections. Prescription required; FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.

If you want to explore the tablet route, start with Mendoxa ED care; return to the Mendoxa home page for an overview.

Types of ED shot and their FDA status

The CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label covers a prescription ED injection; the table distinguishes label-backed products from compounds and separately marketed procedures.

ED shots and look-alike treatments: what each one is and its FDA status (checked Oct 20, 2026)
TreatmentWhat it isFDA statusOnset per source
CAVERJECT (alprostadil)Alprostadil injection; vials (CAVERJECT (alprostadil))FDA-approved for ED (DailyMed label)Erection “within 5 minutes to 20 minutes” (CAVERJECT label)
EDEX (alprostadil)Alprostadil in dual-chamber cartridges with a reusable injection deviceFDA-approved for ED (DailyMed label)Erection “within 5 to 20 minutes” (EDEX label)
Trimix (papaverine + phentolamine + alprostadil)Three injectable medicines mixed by a compounding pharmacyCompounded; compounded drugs are not FDA-approved; the compounder says it is “not FDA-approved as a combined product”No FDA-approved trimix label; ask the prescriber for instructions
P-shot (platelet-rich plasma, PRP)Your own blood is spun down and the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the penisWe found no FDA approval or clearance for ED; Healthline: PRP “is considered an experimental treatment”Not an on-demand shot; no label onset
GAINSWave (low-intensity shockwave)A course of acoustic-wave sessions on the penis, not an injectionPromescent: “the FDA does not currently approve GAINSWave's procedure for erectile dysfunction”Not an on-demand treatment; no label onset

Sources: DailyMed labels for CAVERJECT (alprostadil) and EDEX (alprostadil); FDA compounding Q&A; University of Utah Health; Empower Pharmacy; Healthline (updated Dec 16, 2025); Promescent (updated Oct 11, 2023). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.

Read the status column first. “Compounded” means a pharmacy prepares the mix for an individual patient; FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and the FDA “does not verify the safety, effectiveness or quality” of compounded drugs before they are marketed. A University of Miami PRP trial protocol says that efficacy for PRP injections “remains uncertain” (NCT04396795 protocol, ClinicalTrials.gov).

CAVERJECT vs EDEX: what the labels say

Both products contain alprostadil; their labels differ on upper-dose wording and reported adverse events. Figures are copied from the CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label and the EDEX (alprostadil) label.

CAVERJECT vs EDEX: what the two FDA alprostadil labels say (accessed Oct 20, 2026)
CAVERJECT / EDEX label itemCAVERJECT (alprostadil)EDEX (alprostadil)
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Starting dose (clinician titrates)2.5 mcg; 1.25 mcg if ED is purely neurogenic2.5 mcg; 1.25 mcg if ED is purely neurogenic
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Upper limit“Doses greater than 60 mcg are not recommended.”Range 1 to 40 mcg; “Doses greater than 40 mcg have not been studied.”
CAVERJECT / EDEX: How oftenNo more than 3 times weekly, at least 24 hours between dosesNo more than 3 times per week, at least 24 hours between uses
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Expected onsetWithin 5 to 20 minutes; should last no longer than 1 hourWithin 5 to 20 minutes; goal is no longer than 1 hour
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Prolonged erection (4–6 hours)4% of 1,861 patients4%
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Priapism (more than 6 hours)0.4%Under 1% with use up to 24 months
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Penile fibrosis3% overall; 7.8% in one self-injection study of up to 18 months7.8% (including Peyronie’s disease) through 24 months
CAVERJECT / EDEX: Penile pain37% (most common reaction)35% during erection

Sources: DailyMed CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label (revised 3/2023) and EDEX (alprostadil) label (DailyMed version of Jul 13, 2026). Accessed Oct 20, 2026. Doses are set by the prescriber; this table is not dosing advice.

Do not wait for the six-hour definition. The CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label defines the reported priapism events as more than 6 hours but tells patients to seek immediate medical help after 4 hours; that is the action threshold.

These are separate label reports, not a head-to-head trial or a ranking of safety.

Shot or tablet: questions for your clinician

  • Tablets have not helped? Bring the medicine name, timing and what happened to the visit; compare the timing instructions in Viagra (sildenafil) with your prescription and read ED pills not working.
  • Need a different timing window? The Viagra (sildenafil) label says about 1 hour before sex, while Cialis (tadalafil) reports improved erectile function up to 36 hours after dosing; these standalone-label facts do not establish timing for a compounded combination.
  • Taking nitrates or riociguat? Both Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) contraindicate these combinations; disclose your full medicine list and see ED medication and nitrates.
  • Considering injections? Discuss penile implants, fibrotic penile conditions and conditions predisposing to priapism with the prescriber; the EDEX (alprostadil) label lists these as contraindications.

Could Mendoxa ED care fit you?

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Published injection costs: compare what the quote covers

These quotes cover different units and exclude different fees; ask for the full amount payable, including the visit, supplies and shipping. Figures below were accessed Oct 20, 2026 and have not been converted to a per-dose cost.

SingleCare and Defy Medical published injection costs · accessed Oct 20, 2026
SingleCare / Defy Medical sourceSingleCare / Defy Medical listed unit and priceSingleCare / Defy Medical qualifications
SingleCare: CAVERJECTAbout $815.70 average retail for 6, 20mcg solution reconstituted; $649.03 for 6, 20mcg with its couponSingleCare calls prices its best estimate; updated 10/20/2026
Defy Medical: trimix“Trimix Injections from $1.39 to $3.30 per Injection”; consultation $99Defy Medical estimate excludes consultation and shipping

Sources: SingleCare Caverject prices and Defy Medical trimix page, accessed Oct 20, 2026. Drug context: CAVERJECT (alprostadil); compounded trimix is not FDA-approved (FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved).

What to bring to your ED visit

Bring a list of medicines, what you have already tried, the timing you used and your questions about format, cost and follow-up. Ask the provider which path fits your history and what to do if a problem happens.

For the Mendoxa option, the plan table below shows the quantities and payment periods once; Prescription required · Independent licensed providers. Read about the combination ED tablet, sublingual ED tablet and apomorphine guide before the visit.

Ingredient label context: APOKYN (apomorphine) covers an injectable Parkinson’s product, not the Mendoxa tablet; FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved.

Mendoxa ED plans and prices

The Mendoxa ED tablet is a compounded rapid-dissolve tablet with sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra), tadalafil (the active ingredient in Cialis) and apomorphine (APOKYN label). It dissolves under the tongue. A licensed clinician decides if it fits you and selects the strength. Compounded medicines are not FDA-approved.

Mendoxa ED plans from the intake, accessed Oct 20, 2026
Tablets per month1-month totalPer tablet (1 month)3-month totalPer tablet (3 months)
6 tablets / month$129$21.50$329$18.28
10 tablets / month$149$14.90$379$12.63
20 tablets / month$179$8.95$449$7.48

The 3-month total covers three months at the monthly tablet quantity shown.

If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California). Prices from the Mendoxa intake at try.mendoxa.co/f/ed on Oct 20, 2026. The intake always shows the current price.

FAQ

Does an ED shot hurt?

Pain is the most common side effect. The CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label lists penile pain in 37% of patients, and the EDEX (alprostadil) label lists penile pain during erection in 35%. Ask the prescriber how to inject and what to expect.

How fast does an ED shot work and how long does it last?

The CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label and EDEX (alprostadil) label both say an erection may occur within 5 to 20 minutes. The treatment goal is an erection lasting no longer than 1 hour. Seek immediate care for an erection lasting longer than 4 hours (CAVERJECT (alprostadil)).

Which ED injection is best?

The labels do not establish a best injection for everyone: CAVERJECT (alprostadil) and EDEX (alprostadil) both contain alprostadil and use clinician-set dose titration. Their event rates come from different studies, so the table above cannot rank them; trimix is compounded and not FDA-approved (FDA: compounded drugs are not FDA-approved).

Are ED injections safe, and when is a long erection an emergency?

The CAVERJECT (alprostadil) label reports penile pain, prolonged erections and fibrosis; seek immediate medical help for an erection lasting longer than 4 hours. Its reported priapism category uses more than 6 hours, but that is not an instruction to wait; ask your prescriber for written emergency instructions.

Is the P-shot FDA-approved for ED?

We found no FDA approval or clearance for the P-shot (platelet-rich plasma) as an ED treatment. Healthline calls PRP “an experimental treatment,” and a University of Miami trial protocol says its efficacy “remains uncertain.” FDA-approved ED injections contain alprostadil (CAVERJECT label).

How much do ED shots cost, including the visit?

The dated cost table separates SingleCare’s six-unit Caverject quote from Defy Medical’s published per-injection estimate and $99 consultation. Defy Medical excludes consultation and shipping from its injection estimate; ask what your own quote includes before paying.

Ready to see if the Mendoxa ED tablet fits you?

From $129/month if prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California)

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How we wrote this

Written by the Mendoxa editorial team · Sources: DailyMed/FDA. Medical facts on this page come from the FDA-approved labels on DailyMed and Drugs@FDA; each drug name links to its label. We compared product labels and quoted published prices in their original units; access date: Oct 20, 2026. Label event rates come from different study populations and follow-up periods and cannot establish which product is safer. Community questions informed the FAQ, not medical claims; Reddit was inaccessible during research.

Updated Oct 20, 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice. A licensed clinician decides what fits you.

References

  1. DailyMed: VIAGRA (sildenafil citrate) tablet, film coated, label revised 12/2017. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  2. DailyMed: CIALIS (tadalafil) tablet, film coated, label revised 3/2026. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  3. DailyMed: APOKYN (apomorphine hydrochloride) injection, label revised 6/2022. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  4. FDA (Drugs@FDA): VIAGRA (sildenafil) prescribing information, NDA 020895. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  5. FDA (Drugs@FDA): CIALIS (tadalafil) prescribing information, NDA 021368. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  6. FDA: Compounding and the FDA, questions and answers. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  7. DailyMed: CAVERJECT (alprostadil) injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution (Pharmacia & Upjohn), revised 3/2023. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  8. DailyMed: EDEX (alprostadil) injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution (Endo USA). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  9. University of Utah Health: Trimix injections. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  10. Empower Pharmacy: Tri-Mix injection. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  11. Healthline: P-Shot, what it is, how it works, benefits, cost (updated Dec 16, 2025). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  12. Promescent: GAINSWave for ED (updated Oct 11, 2023). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  13. University of Miami: randomized, placebo-controlled trial protocol of PRP for ED (NCT04396795, v1.3, Jan 23, 2023). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  14. SingleCare: Caverject prices (updated 10/20/2026). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  15. Defy Medical: Trimix injections. Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  16. Mendoxa ED care (product, format, max 1 dose per 24 hours). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.
  17. Mendoxa ED intake: plan prices (term_options). Accessed Oct 20, 2026.

About Mendoxa

Mendoxa (mendoxa.co) is a US telehealth brand. Independent licensed providers (licensed clinicians in the LocumTele network) review each online visit, and prescriptions are filled by Rush Pharmacy, a licensed US pharmacy. Available in 49 states (not California).

  • Prescription required. A licensed clinician reviews every visit and can say no. A prescription is not automatic.
  • A compounded medicine is not an FDA-approved finished product (FDA compounding Q&A).
  • Plans: 1 month or 3 months, from $129. If prescribed · Cancel anytime · Available in 49 states (not California).

Explore Mendoxa ED care

Compounded medication prescribed only if a licensed U.S. clinician decides it is appropriate. Not FDA-approved as a finished product. Not available in California. This site is not for emergencies. Call 911 if you need urgent care.