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Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment

Verapamil Peyronie's treatments have shown some promising success rate. The intimate nature of the treatment and the potentially high treatment cost does keep some men away from trying Verapamil injections for Peyronie's disease.

In this article, I will explain what Verapamil injection treatment involves, the benefits, risk and treatment results with references to scientific studies as applicable.

What Is Verapamil?

Verapamil injection needle

Verapamil is calcium channel blocker. It blocks calcium and hence relaxes and widens the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. Verapamil is approved (by FDA) to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeat.

Verapamil is available as tablets, gel / cream and injections. Verapamil injections and Verapamil gel (topical Verapamil) have been used to treat Peyronie's patients.

How Does Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment Work?

Verapamil injections for Peyronie's may prevent scar formation and increase breakdown of collagen in the existing scar tissues.

Only professional healthcare workers (ideally a doctor) should perform Verapamil Peyronie's treatments. The Verapamil is injected directly into the penis plaque. Small needle is used to inject the Verapamil into number of locations on the penis (multiple puncture technique).

The Verapamil injections for Peyronie's are done every 2 weeks for up to maximum 6 months at a time.

More than one treatment cycle may be needed but adequate time must pass before starting another round of Peyronie's Verapamil injection treatment.

What Are The Benefits Of Verapamil Injection?

Verapamil shots deliver the medication directly to the plaque, hence less affect on the rest of your body.

What Are The Downsides
Of Verapamil Injections For Peyronie's?

Many Peyronie's patients find injection treatments difficult experience. Some find them stressful, others embarrassing and / or painful.

Verapamil Peyronie's treatment is also expensive treatment option. There are generics versions available that help getting the medication cost down, but you still need professional appointments. This means the treatment cost can run into thousands of dollars.

If you are considering Verapamil Peyronie's treatment, then you might want to start by checking if your public healthcare, or health insurance provider, covers some or all of the cost involved.

What Are The Verapamil Side Effects?

Side effects form Verapamil injections are generally considered mild but possible side effects include nausea, headache, lightheadedness, bruising and temporary soreness or pain in the treated area.

Is There Any Health
Risk Involved In Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment?

There is always some level of risk involved when injecting any drug into your body. First, there is a risk of infection, but Verapamil should be injected slowly to reduce the chance of complications.

In rare cases, Verapamil injections can cause hypotension, slow the heart rate or damage the liver. It is therefore advised to give Verapamil shots under continuous electrocardiographic and blood pressure monitoring. This is why only professional healthcare workers (ideally a doctor) should perform Verapamil injections.

Verapamil is not recommended for men with low blood pressure or slow heart rate, while caution is advised when used for elderly patients.

The Results Of Using Verapamil Injection For Peyronie's

There are indications that Verapamil injections may reduce penile curvature, soften the plaque and improve erectile function. There are some studies that support the Peyronie's Verapamil success rate stories, but like with any other Peyronie's treatment, Verapamil may work for some Peyronie's patients but not all.

The feedback on Peyronie's Forums show very mixed opinions where Verapamil injections are concerned.

Dr. Levine, one of the best known Peyronie's specialists in the world today, has used Verapamil injections with good success in the past (50-60% of men have had at least 10 degree measured reduction of curvature).

Scientific Support For Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment

This Verapamil injection study from 1997 evaluated the response to the treatment through subjective and objective measurements and concluded quite promising Peyronie's Verapamil success rate:

Verapamil injection therapy resulted in a reduction of pain in 97% of the patients, an improvement in sexual function in 72%, a reduction of deformity in 86%, an improvement in distal rigidity in 93% and an objective reduction of curvature in 54%. Further studies are required to determine the effectiveness of this nontoxic, inexpensive, nonsurgical approach to Peyronie's disease(J Urol. 1997 Opens in new window symbol)

Another Verapamil injection study, this one from 2002 concluded:

The multicenter international experience with intralesional verapamil injection suggests that the majority of men with PD that receive treatment demonstrate durable reduction in pain, decrease in curvature, and improved sexual function( International Journal of Impotence Research Opens in new window symbol)

They go as far as stating that:

Thus, intralesional verapamil treatment should be considered a first-line treatment in the great majority of patients presenting with PD

While this study conducted between January 2009 to December 2012 concluded that ILVI (intralesional Verapamil injection):

“lead to a potentially clinically meaningful and statistically significant percent reduction in penile curvature deformity” (ICSM 2015 Opens in new window symbol)

There are also studies available that show promising result of using Verapamil injections in conjunction with other Peyronie's treatments, like with Acetyl-L-Carnitine (oral Peyronie's treatment) or Traction Device.

The above studies indicate promising Peyronie's Verapamil success rate but it is important to bear in mind the scientific limitation when performing Peyronie's studies.

Like the review of Peyronie's injection studies published in 2007 points out, the four Verapamil injections studies they found all showed positive results.

They then evaluated them using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria, which ranks studies from strongest strength of evidence (level 1) to weakest (level 5). Of the Verapamil Peyronie's treatment studies evaluated, only one was level 2, the remaining three were all of level 4 quality (European Urology 2007 Opens in new window symbol).

Since then this study evaluated the effect of Verapamil compared to Pentoxifylline in Peyronie's disease. Their conclusion was that:

“there was no significant difference between two groups using verapamil or pentoxifylline, but there was a significant improvement in combination therapy group. Due to our results we propose that combination therapy can improve results and should be considered as a choice in treatment of Peyronie's disease” (Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Sept Opens in new window symbol

My Personal Experience
And Opinion Of Using Peyronie's Verapamil Injections

I do not have personal experience of using Verapamil shots for my Peyronie's disease.

I must admit I'm not sure if I would try Verapamil Peyronie's treatment or not. I like the idea of delivering the medication directly to the plaque and I like the potential promising Peyronie's Verapamil success rate.

On the other hand, I can imagine this form of treatment to be somewhat uncomfortable experience, i.e. regular invasion into your very personal space. The negative feedback on some on-line forums from men with Peyronie's is also rather off-putting. However, you should take those statements with caution, because their situations might differ from yours.

Then there is the cost. Verapamil injection treatment is an expensive treatment option, i.e. if your public healthcare or health insurance does not cover / participate in the cost involved.

Nevertheless, I do like the idea of fighting the Peyronie's disease from as many directions as possible and as soon as possible. And I do trust Dr. Levine judgment.

Dr. Levine, one of the best-known Peyronie's specialists in the world today, recommends Three Approach Nonsurgical Treatments for his patients that include the use of Pentoxifylline and L-Arginine in conjunction with Verapamil injections and the use of penis traction device.

Comments On This Article

  1. Birgir April, 2013

    HJC shared his experience of using Verapamil injections to treat his Peyronie's disease, to Read HJC Story.

  1. Slantsix 15th December, 2013

    Thank you for sharing your experience, have you given any thought to Xiaflex?

  • Birgir 16th December, 2013

    Thank you Slantsix for your question.

    Xiaflex has only very recently become an option for men with Peyronie's disease. I personally will not be considering Xiaflex injections as I received satisfying results with traction therapy. (My Traction Therapy).

    However, because of this website I have followed and written about this topic.

    My review of Xiaflex

    Xiaflex does not cure Peyronie's but it is a great additional option for many Peyronie's patients. It may replace Verapamil injections up to some extend / fully in the future.

    Currently the high price makes Xiaflex out of reach for most men but that may change, i.e. if the insurance companies / public health care will be taking part in the cost in the future. It's still too early to say how this will turn out but I'm sure that Auxilium will leave no stone unturned to make Xiaflex more accessible to the masses.

    It is important that the physician who administers the Xiaflex injections is fully trained. One of the conditions of the FDA approval is that anyone who administers the drug has been given the necessary training in order to reduce the risk associated with the drug.

    Best regards,

    Birgir

  • Slantsix 20th December, 2013

    Thank you for your response, this is a whole new world I've come into. My doctor suggested Xiaflex, but I'm a bit reluctant to be one of the first kids on the block to try it. I'll certainly be asking him about his training - I doubt he'll let me speak with any patient who's using it. Thanks for the info on the training part.

    As far as the cost, WOW is all I have to say about that. Blue Cross already wouldn't cover the two drugs they used today when they did the ultrasound. I do not look forward to trying to get anything like this covered in this new healthcare law.

  • Birgir 23rd December, 2013

    Hi Slantsix,

    Yes, the cost of Xiaflex is a great concern at the moment but I recommend reading the attached comment from the PeyroniesMan (December 17, 2013 at 10:45):

    Discussion about Xiaflex cost

    Is Xiaflex the only thing your doctor has recommended? Have you had any treatment so far?

    Kind regards,

    Birgir

  1. Robert 22nd December, 2013

    Hi,

    I currently treating Peyronie's with Verapamil gel. The condition probably occurred through sex 1 year ago, no pain really, about 25-30 degree curve up and slightly left. I'm interested about the plague.

    Does it soften and dissipate or break down progressively? I've only been treating for 1mth, but the plague is now more flexible or is that my imagination? Will stretching device in conjunction with gel be a good idea?

  • Birgir 23rd December, 2013

    Hi Robert,

    Thank you for your comment. I want to start by emphasizing that I'm not a medical doctor. I can therefore not advice you on medical issues, you will have to see your doctor for that. You don't say but I hope you have seen a doctor for your condition. If not, I recommend you see one a.s.a.p.

    There are mixed reports on the results of using Verapamil gel to treat Peyronie's disease. Most Peyronie's specialists seem not convinced. They fear that not enough Verapamil makes it through the skin to the Tunica Albuginea to make a difference to the Peyronie's conditions. For more information and link to scientific studies, see this article:

    Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment

    In my opinion, you sound like an ideal candidate for penile stretching therapy, i.e. likely to be still in the acute phase and with moderate curvature.

    Recent study has confirmed that PTT (penile traction therapy) seems an effective treatment for the AP (active phase) of PD in terms of pain reduction, penile curvature decrease, and improvement in sexual function.

    Penile Traction Therapy Study

    Time is important when dealing with Peyronie's disease so I urge you to discuss your options with your doctor a.s.a.p. I personally find it risky to use only topical Verapamil to treat Peyronie's disease. Consider PTT as well.

    Best regards,

    Birgir

  1. GMO 7th July, 2014

    I have been suffering from PD for almost a year now. I have recently had the 6 injections of the Varapamil about 2 weeks ago was my last injections (thank God, that's over!), I haven't seen much improvement, a little less pain and slightly decrease (very little) in curvature.

    Prior to the injections I have spent the big bucks on Serrakor NK and other natural supplement's.

    I have read a lot on the PTT, where would I purchase this apparatus?

  • Birgir 7th July, 2014

    Hi GMO,

    I'm sorry to hear that you have not seen much improvement from your Verapamil injections. This is one of the things that make Peyronie's so frustrating, i.e. what works for some men does not have to work for others.

    You ask about PTT, or penile traction therapy. Yes, it has helped many men (including myself) to reduce their curvature and gain back lost penile length. This is My Story. You may also find Bob's Story inspiring, but at the worst he had 90% bend and had lost 2 inches. Bob was very dedicated to his PTT and after few months he had gained back 1.5 inch and the curvature was down to 45%.

    This Article looks at how PTT works for men with Peyronie's, the benefits, downsides, potential side effects, results, scientific support for PTT for treating Peyronie's patients, my personal experience and opinion and where you can buy good quality traction device.

    You can by Traction Device through this website (worldwide shipping). The price is the same as from the manufacturer, and you will be supporting my efforts in maintaining this free website to support other Peyronie's sufferers.

    These articles offer buying advice, i.e. good read before you buy your traction device. This article helps men to decide if Penis Pump Or Traction Device is better option for them. This article explains the difference between Traditional and Directional Traction Devices. And this one goes through What To Have In Mind when buying traction device.

    I hope this helps but if you have any questions about PTT or Peyronie's in general you think I may be able to help with, please be in touch.

    Best regards,
    Birgir

  1. rickj015 19th July, 2014

    Ive been dealing with this for over 2 years! its cost me my marriage and ive tried traction and vacuum devices with little to no result. I see the doctor on thur and more then likely start verapamil injections. Guys I know your pain and feel your frustration

  • Birgir 20th July, 2014

    I'm very sorry to hear about your condition and that it has caused you your marriage. Peyronie's does put a lot of strain on men and their relationships. This is why it is very important to not forget the emotional part of the disease and involve the partner as much as possible.

    I wish you good luck with your doctor's appointment on Thursday and hope Verapamil will work well for you. I hope you keep us posted about your progress.

    Kind regards,
    Birgir

  1. DJC 9th May, 2019

    My experience with Peyronie’s has been frustrating but medical care has added to it. My exact condition is an hourglass shape or wasting situation about 3/4 down the shaft near my body. It may have occurred from rough sex but regardless I initially noticed thinking my erection was so hard it was hurting but then felt a distinctive notch in the shaft as well as the hourglass shape.

    Urologist offered me Viagra or Cialis I took Cialis..it is 25mg. That has helped erections but they are misshapen and difficult for penetration.

    I have read Verapamil injections had success in hourglass situation Dr suggested Xiaflex...$30,000 is out of my financial reach. They also mentioned Gainwaves but didn't push it...I also found a clinic which seems to not have a Urologist but offers Gainswaves for $5,000 12 weeks.. seems fishy and a con. Although they mentioned PRP shots, I am familiar with PRP and thought of this type of therapy when I first diagnosed myself...Right now I am frustrated and a bit pissed.. any suggestions are appreciated.

  • Birgir 9th May, 2019

    Dear DJC,

    Thank you for sharing your experience to date. I’m sure all of us can understand your frustration.

    It is though good to hear that you have your wits with you and reviewing your options with the skeptical glasses firmly on. Unfortunately, there are always some that make unrealistic promises when they know people are desperately seeking a relief.

    Personally, I would look for a Urologist with experience of Peyronie’s to work with. Peyronie’s is a serious condition and therefore best to work with specialists.

    Verapamil injections are one option that may be worth exploring further. It’s cheaper than Xiaflex and many specialists say they have seen similar results with Verapamil injections.

    One of them is Dr. Levine, one of the best known Peyronie’s experts in the word today. I strongly recommend reading my interview with him as it contains lot of valuable information about the different treatment options.

    I hope this is some help and I wish you all the best with your treatment.

    Kind regards,

    Birgir

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Hello, I'm Birgir

This website is based on my experience of Peyronie's disease