The aetiology of erectile dysfunction (ED) is multifactorial consisting of psychogenic and organic factors that must be considered in a multidisciplinary manner in order to treat effectively the disorder. New central initiators of erection such as apomorphine SL (Ixense) provide a pharmacologically multidimensional approach to the treatment of ED. When used in conjunction with a psychosexual counselling strategy designed to move patients at high risk of failure to high responder groups, it can provide an effective and safe pharmacological therapy for ED.