Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for treating erectile dysfunction. The methods include the step of placing within the fossa navicularis of the patient an effective erection-inducing amount of a vasoactive prostaglandin composition of a semi-solid consistency. The composition comprises a vasoactive prostaglandin, a penetration enhancer, a shear-thinning polysaccharide, a lipophilic compound, and an acidic buffer system. The penetration enhancer is an alkyl-2-(N-substituted amino)-alkanoate ester, a (N-substituted amino)-alkanol alkanoate, or a mixture of these enhancers. The lipophilic compound may be an aliphatic C1 to C8 alcohol, aliphatic C2 to C30 ester, an aliphatic C8 to C30 ester, or a mixture of these. The composition includes a buffer system providing a buffered pH value for said composition in the range of about 3 to about 7.4.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods suitable for ameliorating female sexual dysfunction, and in particular, female sexual arousal disorder. In one embodiment, the invention provides a semisolid composition suitable for topical application comprising: an effective amount of a vasoactive prostaglandin, a polysaccharide thickener, a lipophilic component, and an acidic buffer system.

Abstract: A topical composition of a semi-solid consistency suitable is provided for transdermal application of prostaglandin E1. The composition comprises prostaglandin E1, a penetration enhancer, a polysaccharide gum, a lipophilic compound, and an acidic buffer system. The penetration enhancer is an acid addition salt of an alkyl-2-(substituted amino)-alkanoate ester, of a (substituted amino)-alkanol alkanoate, or of a mixture thereof. The lipophilic compound may be an aliphatic C1 to C8 alcohol, an aliphatic C8 to C30 ester, or a mixture of these. The composition includes a buffer system capable of providing a buffered pH value for said composition in the range of about 3 to about 7.4.