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Can A Primary Doctor Prescribe Intra-cavernous Pharmacotherapy For Erectile Dysfunction?
Question: Can a primary doctor prescribe ICP treatment for ED? What is cost?
Brief Answer:
Usually this procedure is done by a Urologist but other physicians can too.
Detailed Answer:
Intra-cavernous pharmacotherapy is usually done by urologists who treat erectile dysfunction. Some primary care physicians are trained to do this but most are not. You can find out if your own primary care doctor has done these, and how frequently (or perhaps how many he/she has done). His or her nurse should be able to get you that information.
The cost of $2400 seems steep. The medication injected does not cost very much - most estimates are around $5-$10 per dose - some are lower. Then add on the cost of an initial consult with a doctor which might run $150 - $300 and then there would be costs of office visits for follow ups. These would be shorter visits and would run less, or may only be visits with a nurse or PA, which should not be as expensive.
BUT, you can also be trained to do the injections your self (or your partner can be trained), after the initial consult and training sessions, which would save a lot of money.
Here is an example of an article I came across regarding nurses training patients to do the injections: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
As I'm not in the Las Vegas area, I don't know what is available to you in terms of doctors who do these, but you can start with your primary doc's office and if unsuccessful call some local urologists to see if they do these (likely they do) and if they would train you or your partner (if that is something you want to pursue). If there is a university hospital near you, that may be helpful as they may charge less and be willing to train you.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if there is further clarification or information I can provide.
Usually this procedure is done by a Urologist but other physicians can too.
Detailed Answer:
Intra-cavernous pharmacotherapy is usually done by urologists who treat erectile dysfunction. Some primary care physicians are trained to do this but most are not. You can find out if your own primary care doctor has done these, and how frequently (or perhaps how many he/she has done). His or her nurse should be able to get you that information.
The cost of $2400 seems steep. The medication injected does not cost very much - most estimates are around $5-$10 per dose - some are lower. Then add on the cost of an initial consult with a doctor which might run $150 - $300 and then there would be costs of office visits for follow ups. These would be shorter visits and would run less, or may only be visits with a nurse or PA, which should not be as expensive.
BUT, you can also be trained to do the injections your self (or your partner can be trained), after the initial consult and training sessions, which would save a lot of money.
Here is an example of an article I came across regarding nurses training patients to do the injections: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/0000
As I'm not in the Las Vegas area, I don't know what is available to you in terms of doctors who do these, but you can start with your primary doc's office and if unsuccessful call some local urologists to see if they do these (likely they do) and if they would train you or your partner (if that is something you want to pursue). If there is a university hospital near you, that may be helpful as they may charge less and be willing to train you.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if there is further clarification or information I can provide.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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