Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment
Experimenting with topical Verapamil Peyronie's treatment is only logical, as there have been some promising results from using Verapamil injections to treat Peyronie's disease.
The reported results of using Verapamil gel to treat Peyronie's disease have though not been as promising. Most Peyronie's specialists are concerned that not enough Verapamil makes it through the skin to the Tunica Albuginea to make a difference to the Peyronie's conditions.
What Is Topical Verapamil?
Verapamil is a 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 FDA approved to treat high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats.
Verapamil is available as tablets, gel / cream and injections. Verapamil injections and Verapamil gel (topical Verapamil) have been used to treat Peyronie's patients.
Topical medicine is applied directly to the surface of the body part that is being treated, which is the penis in the case of Peyronie's disease.
How Does Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment Work?
PDLabs holds the patent to Transdermal Verapamil 15% Gel, but there are generics available. It is only available as prescription from your doctor.
It is not entirely understood how Transdermal Verapamil 15% Gel works on Peyronie's disease. However, it appears that the Verapamil gel penetrates into the plaque or scar tissue, blocks calcium from entering the tissue, and causes the body to produce an enzyme, collagenase, that may remodel the plaque.
You need to take topical Verapamil for quite some time, usually between 3 to 12 months.
To get the most out of your topical Verapamil treatment it is important to apply the Verapamil gel consistently, twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.
What Are Benefits Of Topical Verapamil?
The most important benefit is that Verapamil gel is non-invasive Peyronie's treatment option.
Downside Of The Verapamil Gel For Peyronie's
Topical Verapamil is cheaper option than Verapamil injections. It is however more expensive than most oral treatments and medical devices. The cost depends very much on the length of the treatment period, which is on average between 3 - 9 months.
If you have health insurance, you should check in advance if they participate in the cost as some insurance companies do.
What Are The Topical Verapamil Side Effects?
Topical Verapamil tends to be well tolerated but the most common side effect (affecting 3-5% of patients) is varying degrees of skin irritation.
Most resolve within few days but more persistent or severe irritation can usually be treated with topical corticosteroids.
Is There Health Risk Involved
In Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment?
Transdermal Verapamil 15% Gel is not for everyone. Patients with specific heart conditions and those taking certain medication should not use topical Verapamil. It is therefore important that you go thoroughly through your medical condition and medication with your doctor prior to starting topical Verapamil Peyronie's treatment.
It is also important to remove the Verapamil gel with soap and water before having intercourse, as the medication can cause irritation of the vaginal mucosa.
The Results Of Using Verapamil Gel For Peyronie's
There are many mixed reports on the results of using topical Verapamil to treat Peyronie's disease. It seems like many doctors and Peyronie's specialists are skeptical about the efficacy, mainly as they feel not enough Verapamil makes it through the skin to the Tunica Albuginea.
In Peyronie's forums, you can find both positive and negative reports on topical Verapamil (TV). There seem though to be considerable more reporting no or little improvement from using topical Verapamil Peyronie's treatment.
One of the more interesting inputs I have come across is from ComeBacKid (June 13, 2006). It is very detailed and raises many points worth considering. Even though not recent input, I have not seen anything since that makes me feel that these points are not still valid.
Scientific Support
For Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment
There are number of scientific studies into the use of topical Verapamil for treating Peyronie's disease but their conclusions are conflicting.
Article about 'Peyronie's Disease: Nonsurgical Therapy Options' in Reviews In Urology concluded about topical Verapamil:
“Examination on its efficacy when administered as a topical agent did not lead to promising results” (Rev Urol. 2011) 
They base their review on two studies, showing opposite conclusion. The first one concluded:
“Topical verapamil gel proved effective in eliminating pain on erection, decreasing the size of plaque, decreasing curvature, and improving erection quality in patients with Peyronie's Disease. Treatment results improved significantly after 9 months' treatment as compared with 3 months' treatment” (J Sex Med. 2007)
While the other one concluded:
“These data indicate that applying transdermal verapamil gel to the penile shaft results in a small amount of systemic absorption but the gel does not infiltrate the tunica albuginea. Based on these findings the use of transdermal verapamil for Peyronie's disease has no scientific basis” (J Urol. 2002 Dec)
PDLabs , the patent holder of Transdermal Verapamil 15% Gel lists some clinical studies on their website (including the one in J Sex Med. 2007), all showing positive results.
We know there are many challenges for scientists when conducting Peyronie's Studies, which may help explaining the different outcome.
My Personal Experience
And Opinion Of Using Verapamil Gel
I have not used Verapamil gel and based on my research I have concerns about its efficacy for treating Peyronie's disease.
The majority of Peyronie's specialists and those that have tried topical Verapamil Peyronie's treatment seem to have little or no belief in its efficacy. Scientific support for topical Verapamil is also lacking, the clinical studies conclusions are too conflicting.
It is a shame, as topical Verapamil would be cheaper and more convenient option than Verapamil Injections but unfortunately, Verapamil gel does not seem as effective.
There might however be the third option, i.e. applying Verapamil with Iontophoresis technique (an injection without a needle). If interested in using Verapamil (in any form) discuss the pros and cons of different methods with your Peyronie's doctor.
Your Experience Of Topical Verapamil Peyronie's Treatment
Have you used Verapamil gel in your fight against the Peyronie's disease?
If so, please use the form below and leave your Comments, or relevant practical advice to other Peyronie's sufferers.
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