How do alpha blockers cause priapism?
The mechanism responsible for priapism is an alpha adrenergic blockade, which directly inhibits the sympathetic impulse of detumescence. Tamsulosin is a subtype selective alpha-blocker with effect on prostate, but it appears it may also have an effect on the corporal smooth muscle.
What medication causes priapism?
The drugs most frequently implicated are psychotropic drugs (phenothiazines and trazodone), antihypertensives (mainly prazosin) and heparin. Recently, the intracavernosal injection of vasoactive drugs (papaverine and phentolamine) has been described in patients treated for impotence.
What is the mechanism of priapism?
Priapism. Corporeal relaxation causes external pressure on the emissary veins exiting the tunica albuginea, trapping blood in the penis and causing erection. Engorgement of the corpora cavernosa compresses the venous outflow tracts (ie, subtunical venules), trapping blood within the corpora cavernosa.
What triggers priapism?
Other causes of priapism include: A spider bite, scorpion sting or other toxic infections. Metabolic disorders including gout or amyloidosis. Neurogenic disorders, such as a spinal cord injury or syphilis.
What kind of drugs are associated with ischemic priapism?
Use or abuse of psychopharmaceuticals is a common factor in ischemic priapism; trazodone is the most commonly associated prescription drug, and among recreational drug abusers, cocaine is associated with priapism. Additional recreational substances associated with priapism include alcohol and amphetamines.
Is there a medical emergency associated with priapism?
Priapism Guideline – American Urological Association Priapism, a relatively uncommon disorder, is a medical emergency. Although not all forms of priapism require immediate intervention, ischemic priapism is associated with progressive fibrosis of the cavernosal tissues and erectile dysfunction.
What are the indications for alpha adrenergic receptor modifying medication?
Indications The indication for the use of an alpha-adrenergic receptor modifying medication depends on which receptor is the target: the alpha-1 receptor or the alpha-2 receptor. Alpha-1 receptors bind catecholamines including, both epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Is there a clinical guideline for stuttering priapism?
Although not all forms of priapism require immediate intervention, ischemic priapism is associated with progressive fibrosis of the cavernosal tissues and erectile dysfunction. This clinical guideline discusses evaluation, ischemic priapism, non-ischemic priapism, and stuttering priapism.