Invicorp

What Is Invicorp and What Is It Used For?

Invicorp is an intracavernosal injection containing aviptadil (25 micrograms) and phentolamine mesilate (2 mg), prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It is injected directly into the corpus cavernosum of the penis to produce an erection when oral erectile dysfunction medications are insufficient.

Erectile dysfunction affects a significant proportion of men worldwide, with prevalence increasing with age. While oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are the first-line pharmacological treatment for ED, a substantial number of patients – estimated at 30–40% – either do not respond adequately to these medications, cannot tolerate them due to side effects, or have medical contraindications to their use. For these patients, intracavernosal injection therapy represents an effective second-line treatment option.

Invicorp contains two active substances that act synergistically on the penile vascular system. Phentolamine mesilate is a non-selective alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist. By blocking alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors in penile arterial smooth muscle, phentolamine promotes vasodilatation and increases arterial blood flow into the corpora cavernosa. Aviptadil is a synthetic form of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a naturally occurring neuropeptide involved in the physiology of erection. Aviptadil activates VIP receptors on cavernosal smooth muscle cells, stimulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production, which leads to smooth muscle relaxation. This relaxation reduces the resistance to venous outflow, effectively trapping blood within the erectile tissue.

The combined effect of increased arterial inflow (via phentolamine) and reduced venous outflow (via aviptadil) produces engorgement of the corpora cavernosa and a clinically useful erection. This dual mechanism distinguishes Invicorp from single-agent intracavernosal therapies such as alprostadil (prostaglandin E1), which works primarily through a different signalling pathway involving cyclic AMP and prostaglandin receptors.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that Invicorp produces erections suitable for intercourse in approximately 70–80% of men with erectile dysfunction of various aetiologies, including psychogenic, neurogenic, vasculogenic, and mixed-origin ED. The onset of erection typically occurs within 5 to 15 minutes after injection, and the erection usually lasts less than one hour.

What Should You Know Before Using Invicorp?

Before starting Invicorp, your doctor must assess your medical history thoroughly. The injection is contraindicated in men with certain blood disorders, penile deformities, or penile implants, and in those who have been advised to avoid sexual activity. Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, particularly anticoagulants and other ED treatments.

Contraindications

You must not use Invicorp if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• Allergy to aviptadil, phentolamine mesilate, or any other ingredient in this medicine – symptoms of an allergic reaction may include rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing
• Leukaemia (blood cancer), multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), or sickle cell anaemia – these conditions significantly increase the risk of priapism (a prolonged, painful erection) because they alter blood viscosity and flow dynamics within the corpora cavernosa
• Sickle cell trait – even carrying the sickle cell gene without full disease increases the risk of vaso-occlusive complications in the penis
• Medical advice against sexual activity – if your doctor has recommended that you refrain from sex due to a cardiovascular or other health condition, you should not use Invicorp
• Peyronie’s disease or penile scarring – if your penis is curved, scarred, or has abnormal fibrous tissue in the corpora cavernosa, intracavernosal injection can cause complications and unpredictable drug distribution
• Penile implant (prosthesis) – the presence of an implant makes intracavernosal injection inappropriate and potentially dangerous

Warnings and Precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before using Invicorp if any of the following apply:

• Heart or lung problems, or history of stroke – sexual activity places additional demands on the cardiovascular system. If you have any of these conditions, you should engage in sexual activity with caution and under medical guidance. The European Association of Urology (EAU) recommends cardiovascular risk stratification before prescribing any ED treatment
• History of psychiatric illness or substance misuse – your doctor will want to ensure that the medication is being used safely and appropriately
• Bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant medications – intracavernosal injection carries a risk of bruising and haematoma, which may be more severe in patients with impaired coagulation

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Invicorp is intended exclusively for use in men and is not applicable to women. There is no clinical indication for the use of aviptadil and phentolamine in women, and these substances have not been evaluated for safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are a woman and have been inadvertently exposed to Invicorp, contact your doctor or a poison control centre for advice.

Driving and Operating Machinery

You are personally responsible for determining whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform tasks that require heightened alertness. Invicorp can occasionally cause dizziness, flushing, or changes in heart rate, which could affect your ability to drive safely. Read all sections of this article carefully for information on side effects that may impair your concentration. If you are unsure about the effects on your ability to drive, discuss this with your doctor.

Sodium Content

Invicorp contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, meaning it is essentially sodium-free. This is relevant for patients on sodium-restricted diets, such as those with heart failure or kidney disease, who need to monitor their sodium intake from all sources including medications.

How Does Invicorp Interact with Other Drugs?

Invicorp can interact with anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) and other erectile dysfunction treatments. You must inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking before starting Invicorp, as certain drug combinations can increase the risk of bleeding, priapism, or dangerous blood pressure drops.

Drug interactions with intracavernosal agents like Invicorp are particularly important because the injection acts locally on penile vasculature, and concurrent systemic medications can amplify or modify its effects. The two most clinically significant categories of interactions involve anticoagulants and other vasoactive erectile dysfunction treatments.

Major Interactions

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) represent the most common interaction concern. Because Invicorp is administered by injection directly into penile tissue, there is an inherent risk of localised bleeding and bruising. In patients taking anticoagulants, this risk is significantly amplified, and bruising may be more extensive and prolonged. The following anticoagulants require particular attention:

Other Considerations

While the interactions listed above are the most clinically significant, you should always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are taking, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and herbal supplements. Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as tamsulosin and doxazosin, may theoretically enhance the vasodilatory effects of phentolamine, although this interaction has not been specifically studied with Invicorp.

Antihypertensive medications of all classes may also interact with the blood-pressure-lowering effects of Invicorp’s active ingredients, potentially leading to episodes of dizziness or fainting during or after sexual activity. Patients on multiple antihypertensive agents should be monitored more closely when initiating intracavernosal therapy.

What Is the Correct Dosage of Invicorp?

The recommended dose of Invicorp is one ampoule (25 micrograms aviptadil / 2 mg phentolamine mesilate) per injection. Do not inject more than once per day and no more than three times per week. Each ampoule contains the exact dose for a single injection – the entire contents must be administered.

Invicorp is supplied as a ready-to-use solution in glass ampoules containing 0.35 ml of solution. Unlike some other intracavernosal therapies where the dose is titrated upwards from a small starting amount, Invicorp is provided in a single fixed-dose formulation. This simplifies the dosing process and reduces the risk of accidental overdose.

Adults

First Injection – Medical Supervision Required

Your very first injection must be performed under the direct supervision of a doctor or nurse. The healthcare professional will demonstrate the correct injection technique and observe your response to the medication, including monitoring for any adverse effects. You should not attempt self-injection until:

• A healthcare professional has demonstrated the technique to you
• You did not experience any problems with the supervised injection
• You fully understand the instructions for self-injection
• You have been cleared for self-injection by your doctor

Once you are confident with the technique, your doctor will schedule regular follow-up appointments (typically every three months), especially during the early stages of self-injection, to monitor your response and check for any complications such as penile nodules or fibrosis.

Elderly Patients

There is no specific dose adjustment recommended for elderly patients. However, elderly men are more likely to have concurrent cardiovascular disease, use anticoagulant medications, and have age-related changes in penile vascular function. Your doctor will take these factors into account when prescribing Invicorp and may monitor you more frequently.

Children

Invicorp is not indicated for use in children or adolescents. Erectile dysfunction is a condition affecting adult men, and intracavernosal injection therapy has not been studied in individuals under 18 years of age.

Overdose

If you have injected more Invicorp than prescribed, or if the medication has been accidentally administered to someone for whom it was not intended, contact your doctor, hospital emergency department, or poison control centre immediately. Bring the packaging with you so that healthcare staff can clearly identify the medication involved. The primary risk of overdose is priapism (prolonged, painful erection) and severe hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure).

How Do You Inject Invicorp?

Invicorp is injected directly into the soft tissue on either side of the penile shaft (intracavernosal injection). A healthcare professional will teach you the technique before you begin self-injecting at home. Always follow the step-by-step instructions carefully and never inject without proper training.

Invicorp may be used at room temperature or directly from the refrigerator. If you prefer, remove the ampoule from the fridge and allow it to warm to room temperature before injection. Follow the instructions provided by your doctor – deviating from the recommended technique may affect the medication’s effectiveness.

Preparing the Injection

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.
2. Take the glass ampoule and gently twist it to ensure all liquid is in the lower portion of the ampoule.
3. Snap off the top of the ampoule and carefully place it on a clean, flat surface.
4. Open the package containing the long needle (21G). This needle is for drawing the solution from the ampoule only – do not use this needle for the injection itself.
5. Remove the syringe from its packaging and place it on a clean surface such as a fresh paper towel.
6. Attach the long (21G) needle to the syringe by holding the syringe at the upper end and pushing and twisting the needle half a turn until it is firmly seated. Remove the needle cap.
7. Insert the long needle into the ampoule and draw up all the solution by pulling back on the plunger. Replace the cap on the long needle and remove it from the syringe.
8. Open the package containing the short needle (30G) – this is the injection needle. Attach it to the syringe in the same manner as the long needle, then remove the cap.

Performing the Injection

1. Clean the injection site on your penis with soap and water, rinse with clean water, and dry with a clean towel.
2. Hold the syringe with the needle pointing upward. Gently tap the barrel to move any air bubbles to the top. Push the plunger slowly until a few drops appear at the needle tip – this removes any air from the syringe.
3. Hold the syringe with the needle at a 90-degree angle to the side of your penis.
4. Ensure you avoid the urethra (the channel for urine on the underside) and any visible blood vessels. Inject into the lateral aspect (side) of the penile shaft.
5. Push the needle into the penis and slowly depress the plunger to inject all the solution.
6. Withdraw the needle and immediately replace the protective cap.
7. Dispose of the used ampoule, syringe, and needles in an appropriate sharps disposal container.

After Injection

After self-injecting Invicorp, an erection will typically develop within 5 to 15 minutes. The injection should produce an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. The erection will normally subside within one hour.

Apply gentle pressure to the injection site for 1–2 minutes after withdrawing the needle to minimise bruising. Alternate the injection site between the left and right sides of the penis with each subsequent injection to reduce the risk of localised fibrosis or nodule formation.

What Are the Side Effects of Invicorp?

Like all medicines, Invicorp can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. The most common side effect is flushing (redness) of the face and upper body. The most serious side effect is priapism – a prolonged, painful erection lasting more than 4 hours, which requires emergency medical treatment.

Side effects from Invicorp are generally related to its vasodilatory mechanism of action and the injection route of administration. Most side effects are localised to the injection site or are mild systemic vasodilatory effects. However, some rare side effects can be serious and require immediate medical intervention.

Serious Side Effects

Other Side Effects

Reporting Side Effects

Reporting suspected side effects after a medicine has been authorised is important. It allows continuous monitoring of the medicine’s benefit-risk balance. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report any suspected adverse reactions to their national pharmacovigilance authority. In the United Kingdom, this is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Scheme. In the European Union, reports should be directed to the national competent authority. In the United States, adverse events can be reported to the FDA MedWatch programme.

How Should You Store Invicorp?

Invicorp must be stored in a refrigerator at 2–8°C and must not be frozen. Once removed from the refrigerator, the ampoule must be used within 24 hours. Keep out of sight and reach of children and do not use after the expiry date.

Proper storage is essential to maintain the efficacy and safety of Invicorp. The active ingredients, particularly aviptadil (a peptide), are sensitive to temperature and degrade more rapidly at higher temperatures. Failure to store the medication correctly may result in reduced effectiveness.

• Store in a refrigerator at 2–8°C (36–46°F)
• Do not freeze – freezing will damage the molecular structure of aviptadil and render the medication ineffective
• Use within 24 hours once the ampoule has been removed from the refrigerator
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the carton and ampoule label
• Keep out of sight and reach of children at all times

After use, the ampoule, syringe, and needles must be disposed of in an appropriate sharps disposal container. Do not discard these items in household waste or flush them down the drain. Return used sharps containers to your pharmacy or healthcare provider for safe disposal. Ask your pharmacist for advice on proper disposal of unused medications to help protect the environment.

What Does Invicorp Contain?

Each Invicorp ampoule contains 25 micrograms of aviptadil and 2 mg of phentolamine mesilate as active substances, dissolved in 0.35 ml of solution along with inactive excipients including sodium chloride, disodium edetate, and water for injections.

Active Ingredients

• Aviptadil – 25 micrograms per ampoule. Aviptadil is a synthetic analogue of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide that plays a role in the physiology of penile erection by promoting smooth muscle relaxation in the corpora cavernosa
• Phentolamine mesilate – 2 mg per ampoule. Phentolamine is a non-selective alpha-adrenergic antagonist that increases arterial blood flow to the erectile tissue by blocking sympathetic vasoconstriction

Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)

• Sodium chloride – used to make the solution isotonic (compatible with body tissue)
• Disodium edetate – a chelating agent that stabilises the active ingredients
• Phosphoric acid – pH adjustment
• Sodium hydroxide – pH adjustment
• Hydrochloric acid – pH adjustment
• Water for injections – solvent

Packaging and Presentation

Invicorp is supplied in glass ampoules, each containing 0.35 ml of clear solution for injection. The product is available in the following pack sizes:

Not all pack sizes may be marketed in all countries. The 30G needle is the short, fine needle used for the actual injection. The 21G needle is the larger needle used only for drawing the solution from the glass ampoule into the syringe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invicorp

References and Sources

Editorial Team