Trimix
3-Drug Intracavernosal Injection
At a Glance
- A mixture of three medications
- Inject into shaft of penis 5 to 15 minutes prior to intercourse
- Effective for 1 to 2 hours
- Available in 11 formulations, prescription required
The Details
Trimix injections work by relaxing the corporal smooth musculature. This allows for increased blood flow to the penis to achieve and maintain an erection strong enough for the entirety of sexual intercourse.
Trimix should be injected 5-15 minutes prior to sexual activity.
What to know about Trimix
How it Works
Trimix is injected into the cavernosal tissue of the penis with a very fine needle just before intercourse. The medication works by relaxing the corporal smooth musculature and/or building the adrenergic tone of the corporal smooth muscle.
This allows for Increased blood flow to the penis to achieve and maintain an erection strong enough for the entirety of sexual intercourse.
Who’s it For?
Trimix injections are recommended for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Trimix may also be used in conjunction with other Erectile Dysfunction therapy modalities such as PDE5-inhibitors.
DO NOT inject Trimix more than once in a 24-hour period unless instructed to do so by your Physician. Patients must be cautioned to call their physician if an erection persists for 4 hours or longer.
Effectiveness
Injections are one of the most effective forms of ED treatment: up to 92% of patients find it effective. In a study conducted by the British Medical Journal, 88% of patients who failed to respond to PDE5-Inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra) were successful with injection therapy. Additionally 48% of men who failed to respond to PDE5-inhibitors responded when used in conjunction with injection therapy.
According to a Continuing Medical Education (CME) Article, of the men who stop using injection therapy, 82% of them would still recommend it to a friend.
Off-Label Uses
A common practice, off-label prescribing is when a doctor prescribes a drug for a different condition or at a different dosage than the FDA has approved. For Trimix, there are a few conditions prescribed off-label. Always consult your physician before beginning a new treatment or modifying your existing treatment.
FDA Approved Use
Trimix is often recommended for men suffering from more advanced erectile dysfunction or who have other comorbidities impacting their ED.
Prostate Cancer
Trimix may be prescribed for men who have just had a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. Injection Therapy is commonly used to aid in the recovery process.
Trimix Side Effects
- Priapism (erection lasting more than 4 hours)
- Aching sensation in penis
- Scarring at injection site (if injections aren’t rotated)
Good to Know
Do not exceed the maximum prescribed dose without consulting your urologist. Do not inject more than once in a 24-hour period unless otherwise directed by your physician. Most doctors recommend no more than 3-4 times weekly to minimize scar tissue formation.
All vials, whether punctured or sealed, must be refrigerated. Trimix multi-use vials are safe to use up to 28-days after the first puncture. Do not freeze.
Level Up Your Knowledge
Helpful Articles
Can A Healthy Lifestyle Improve Your ED?
In this article Dr. Loh-Doyle explains how four key lifestyle changes can not only improve your erectile function, but will help you maintain your overall good health.
Multi-dose Vials and the 28-day Sterility Rule
In this article Patrick Carpenter, Pharmacist discusses safety guidelines for the use of injectable medicines in multi-dose vials.
The Art of Optimizing Injection Therapy for ED
In this article Dr. Honig discusses why it's important to set the right dose and teach proper self-injection technique in the first office visit.
Ready to Get Results?
Use these tools to rate and track your progress.
Rigidity Scale
Use this tool to rate your erection. The goal range is 7-9 with 6 being firm enough for penetration.
Log Your Progress
Use the chart below to record your progress. This chart comes in handy when discussing your treatment success with your provider or with a menMD Personal Health Assistant.
Learn more or download the Injection Therapy Guide, which includes these tools, in the resource center.
Ready to get started?
First you’ll need a prescription.
Don’t forget to check these out
Other treatment options for erectile dysfunction.
Vacuum Erection Devices
The VED is a plastic tube that fits over the penis and is pressed against the base of the penis and pubis. It uses suction to pull blood into the penis to create an erection.
Intraurethral Gel
Intraurethral gels are injected into the urethra with a needleless syringe 5-15 minutes prior to intercourse.
Available in 3 formulations, prescription required.
Tadalafil
Same active ingredient found in Cialis. Taken one hour prior to sexual activity. Effective for up to 36 hours.
Available in 5mg and 20mg tablets or lozenges, prescription required.
Sildenafil
Same active ingredient found in Viagra®. Taken orally, 30 to 60 minutes prior to sexual activity.
Available in 20mg and 100mg tablets, prescription required.
