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Variety of delivery options including next day & free delivery.
Pharmacy, clinic and prescribers based in Greater Manchester.
Start your treatment with a quick and free online consultation.
Fill in a quick online consultation for our licensed pharmacists to review.
Our pharmacists will review your treatment to ensure it’s suitable.
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| Medication Name | Vitaros Cream |
| Medication Form | Single-use topical cream |
| Used for | Treating erectile dysfunction in men |
| Who can use | Adult men aged 18 and over |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Alprostadil (3mg/g) |
| Usual Dose | One applicator used 5 to 30 minutes before sex, as directed by your prescriber. No more than once in 24 hours and no more than 2 to 3 times a week |
| Common Side Effects | Penile pain, burning or redness, rash, genital itching, penile swelling |
| Prescription Required | Yes |
| Patient Information Leaflet | Vitaros Cream Patient Information Leaflet |
Vitaros is a topical cream used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, the difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex. ED is common and often has more than one cause, including:
Vitaros contains alprostadil. Because Vitaros is applied directly to the tip of the penis rather than swallowed, this topical erectile dysfunction cream can suit men who’d prefer an alternative to ED tablets or who can’t use oral ED treatments. Vitaros cream offers a topical option.
Once the cream is applied to the tip of the penis, the alprostadil it contains passes through the skin. The cream is absorbed quickly, helping relax and widen the blood vessels so more blood flows into the penis. Vitaros typically produces an erection within 5 to 30 minutes after application, and the effect lasts around 1 to 2 hours, though this varies from person to person. Arousal and foreplay help the cream work.
Vitaros is suitable for adult men aged 18 and over who have erectile dysfunction. It can help men who struggle to get or keep an erection for a range of physical, medical or emotional reasons. A short consultation helps determine if Vitaros is a good fit for you.
Vitaros should not be used by everyone. Don’t use it if you:
Applying Vitaros cream is straightforward, and each applicator is for single use only. Use it around 5 to 30 minutes before sex, and your prescriber will confirm the right dose of Vitaros cream for you.
Each applicator holds one dose of Vitaros, so don’t use too much Vitaros cream. Use it no more than once in any 24 hours and no more than two to three times a week. Don’t pass urine straight after applying, and don’t use a second applicator if some cream is left over.
Like all medicines, Vitaros cream can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most side effects of Vitaros cream are short-lived and settle within 1 to 2 hours.
Combining it with other ED treatments can increase the risk of side effects. An erection lasting more than 4 hours needs urgent medical attention.
These may affect more than 1 in 10 people.
Vitaros cream may also cause less common effects. These may affect up to 1 in 100 people.
Contact your doctor straight away if you get:
You can report suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Vitaros cream contains a single active ingredient. The active ingredient in Vitaros is alprostadil, and each single-use container contains 100mg of cream.
Active ingredient: Alprostadil.
Other ingredients: Purified water, ethanol (anhydrous), ethyl laurate, hydroxypropyl guar gum, dodecyl-2-N,N-dimethylaminopropionate hydrochloride, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium hydroxide and phosphoric acid.
Vitaros contains a small amount of alcohol (ethanol), around 50mg per gram, which can cause a burning feeling on broken skin. If you have any allergies or sensitivities, review the ingredient list and mention them during your consultation before use.
Vitaros usually starts to work within 5 to 30 minutes of applying it. The effect then lasts for around 1 to 2 hours, though this varies from person to person. Foreplay and arousal help the cream work. Apply it 5 to 30 minutes before you plan to have sex.
Vitaros shouldn’t be combined with other erectile dysfunction treatments like Cialis tablets, as this can raise the risk of a prolonged, painful erection. It also shouldn’t be used with medicines that prevent blood clots, because of a possible bleeding risk. Blood pressure medicines can add to dizziness and fainting when taken alongside it. Tell your prescriber about everything you take before starting.
Vitaros is a cream applied directly to the tip of the penis, while treatments like Viagra are tablets taken by mouth. Because it’s applied locally, it can suit men who’d rather not take a tablet or who can’t use oral ED medicines. It tends to work within 5 to 30 minutes. Which option is right depends on your health and preferences, so speak to your prescriber for advice.
Vitaros cream is a prescription-only medicine, so you can’t buy it over the counter. You’ll need a short online consultation so a prescriber can check it’s suitable for you. There are several ED treatments available, and Vitaros cream is available on prescription once it’s approved for you.
Too much alcohol can make it harder to get an erection, so it may reduce how well Vitaros works. There’s no strict ban on alcohol with the cream itself, but keeping your intake low is sensible. The cream also contains a small amount of alcohol (ethanol), which can sting if it touches broken skin. If you’re unsure, speak to your pharmacist for advice.
If your partner is pregnant, could become pregnant or is breastfeeding, you should use a latex condom when using Vitaros. This protects your partner from exposure to the medicine. If you’re actively trying to conceive, talk to your prescriber first so they can advise on the safest approach.
Vitaros isn’t suitable if you’ve had a heart attack or if you’ve been advised not to have sex for health reasons, such as heart problems or a recent stroke. Sexual activity itself puts extra demand on the heart. If you have any heart or circulation condition, tell your prescriber so they can decide if it’s safe for you.
There’s no need to wash the cream off after applying it, as it needs time to absorb. Do wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, since the cream can irritate the eyes. Avoid passing urine straight after applying, as this can wash the medicine away before it works.
Store Vitaros cream in a fridge between 2°C and 8°C and don’t freeze it. Unopened applicators can be kept out of the fridge below 25°C for up to 3 days, then used or thrown away. Vitaros cream is supplied in single-use applicators, so keep them in the original sachet to protect from light and out of the reach of children.
Each pack of Vitaros contains single-use applicators, so replace the cap and put the used one back in its opened sachet, then fold and dispose of it. Don’t flush any medicine down the toilet or put it in household waste. Vitaros is supplied in packs of 4 or 12, and any unused applicators can be taken to your pharmacist to dispose of safely.
Vitaros isn’t suitable for everyone. It shouldn’t be used by men with certain heart or blood pressure conditions, those prone to long-lasting erections or anyone allergic to alprostadil. A prescriber will review your health and medicines to check it’s right for you.
Page content authored by Mr Mohammed, last reviewed by Amjad Khan on 27th August 2026.
