Tri-mix is a combination of three different medications; papaverine, phentolamine, and alporstadil. It is used as a remedy for erectile dysfunction and works very well, especially for men who are not completely satisfied with the results from the traditional Viagra or Cialis treatments.
It is recommended to keep Tri-mix either refrigerated or frozen for two reasons. The main reason is to maintain sterility. Every time the vial is pierced by the needle, bacteria and/or viruses can enter. Keeping the liquid refrigerated or frozen, dramatically slows the growth from these pathogens. Secondly, alprostadil degrades rapidly at room temperature.
Since I don’t feel terms like “rapidly” should be used in science, I had to find the definition of “rapidly.”
Searching scientific literature produced two cited studies on this:
Study #1
- Alprostadil lost 8% potency in five days at room temperature.
- Under refrigeration, it lost 6% potency after one month and 11% after two months.
- Frozen, alprostadil lost less than 5% after six months.¹
Study #2
- Stored in a syringe, alprostadil lost 10% effectiveness at 41°F (refrigeration) after 24 weeks.
- At 34 weeks, the medication lost 25% and a 30% loss is seen after one full year at 41°F.
- At 70°F (room temperature), alprostadil losts 10% effectiveness after 6 weeks.
- After 20 weeks at 70°F, a 37% loss was reported.²
Another article was found citing a study but with an inactive web link. The reported findings are summarized here:
- Alprostadil can be frozen for six months with 95% effectiveness.
- Alprostadil lost 12.5% effectiveness at room temperature after seven days.
- Alprostadil lost 44% effectiveness at room temperature after 30 days.
- Alprostadil lost 2% effectiveness under refrigeration after seven days.
- Alprostadil lost 6% effectiveness under refrigeration after 30 days.
- ”So it would appear that those using Tri-mix could, when traveling, leave it
unrefrigerated for 24 hours with, at worst, only a slight degradation in one
component (Alprostadil).”
I, personally, have compounded (made from raw powder in a sterile environment) tens of thousands doses of Tri-mix as well as other erectile dysfunction medications. These preparations have been sent to independent testing laboratories for analysis. The lab results indicate that the Tri-mix I personally make is sterile and within 10% potency after frozen for six months.
I advise my clients that their Tri-mix can be kept at room temperature in pre-drawn syringes for no more than two days. It is difficult to keep the vial under refrigeration while traveling. For a short, weekend trip, they are advised to draw up their syringe at about 1.25 times their normal dose and keep it at no more than room temperature (70ºF). The effectiveness will be reduced approximately 10% per day so adjust your dose accordingly. Again, I don’t recommend room temperature for more than two days.
The Tri-mix can also be drawn up into syringes and stored frozen for an extended period of time. Remove the frozen Tri-mix syringe from the freezer 5-10 minutes prior it injecting. That is enough time for it to thaw to near room temperature.
Also, all of my clients using Tri-mix are required to have the antidote with their medication at all times. Although it may sound comical, a four-hour erection is not pleasurable. Without your antidote to Tri-mix, you will have a trip to the emergency room. The antidote does not have to be refrigerated and is a one time use injection. It takes just a couple of minutes for the antidote to work and for the erection to subside.
1.Int J Pharm Compd 2004 May-Jun;8(3):231-5
2.Int J Impot Rch 2001 13,16-17
