We describe the management of 17 men who developed prolonged erections following the intracorporeal injection of vasoactive drugs (e.g. papaverine) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Twelve men who had psychogenic impotence developed prolonged erections following injection compared with 5 who had an organic aetiology. The aspiration of 20 to 50 ml of blood from the penis together with the intracorporeal injection of 1 to 2 mg metaraminol is an effective treatment of this complication.