Drugs for Erectile Dysfunction

Warning

General Notes

The drugs below are not prescribable under the NHS for treatment of erectile dysfunction except in men who meet the criteria listed in Part 12 of the Scottish Drug Tariff.

The prescription must be endorsed 'SLS'.

GPs can issue private prescriptions for the below drugs for patients who do not qualify for NHS treatment. The GP cannot charge patients for issuing a private prescription for these drugs.

Further information can be found in the NHSL guideline: Management of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors

Preferred list (P)

SILDENAFIL

Total list (T)

TADALAFIL

VARDENAFIL

Alprostadil

Specialist initiation (S1)

ALPROSTADIL powder and solvent for solution for injection (Caverject®)

ALPROSTADIL urethral sticks (MUSE®)

  • With urethral use: If partner is pregnant, barrier contraception should be used. No evidence of harm to latex condoms and diaphragms.

ALPROSTADIL 3mg/g cream (Vitaros®)

  • With topical use: Counsel patients that condoms should be used to avoid local reactions and exposure of alprostadil to women of childbearing age, pregnant, or lactating women.

NHSL Joint Adult Formulary Key

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.