madman
Super Moderator
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE
Bremelanotide is FDA approved for premenopausal women with generalized, acquired hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It modulates dopaminergic pathways involved in sexual desire and arousal in men and women and has been reported to increase genital blood flow within hours of subcutaneous administration. We have been prescribing bremelanotide off-label to men with sexual dysfunctions (SD) after undergoing a biopsychosocial evaluation. The aim was to better understand the use at our clinic of bremelanotide in men, evaluating improvements in sexual function, overall satisfaction, and side effects.
METHODS
Bremelanotide prescription dispensing data from our facility was compiled from September 2019 to June 30, 2023 and analyzed for prescribing patterns and refill rates. We performed a one-group study design for men with SD who were prescribed bremelanotide. Participants answered the Quality of Life Dimension of Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) and General Assessment Questions online. Participants completed a structured interview over the telephone with a single interviewer. Descriptive statistics characterized the study cohort. Adverse events were collected.
RESULTS
Over the 46-months, bremelanotide has been dispensed to men for SD 444 times; 65% of dispenses were refills. Over a recent 18 period, refill rates have been 73% (n=219). 25 men signed consent and 20 completed the online questionnaires. 75% of these men were more satisfied with their lovemaking and duration of lovemaking; 88% reported vaginal insertion was easier and 67% said it was easier to orgasm. Concerning feelings about initiating lovemaking, 80% were more at ease and 73% anticipated it would be more pleasurable and more carefree. 64% believed orgasm was more pleasurable and 69% said that lovemaking was more pleasurable while 73% reported that the partner’s overall experience was more pleasurable. Using the PGI-I, 72% of participants felt that sexual function after using bremelanotide was a little better, much better, or very much better. Side effects included nausea (30%), flushing (22%), headache (13%), bothersome spontaneous erections without sexual stimulation for about 24 hours after injection (13%), and incontinence, cramping and abdominal burning (4% each). All adverse events were transient.
CONCLUSIONS
Bremelanotide acts centrally by raising dopamine, unlike PDE5 inhibitors that act peripherally. Our study showed that bremelanotide safely and effectively improved SD for some men.
Bremelanotide is FDA approved for premenopausal women with generalized, acquired hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It modulates dopaminergic pathways involved in sexual desire and arousal in men and women and has been reported to increase genital blood flow within hours of subcutaneous administration. We have been prescribing bremelanotide off-label to men with sexual dysfunctions (SD) after undergoing a biopsychosocial evaluation. The aim was to better understand the use at our clinic of bremelanotide in men, evaluating improvements in sexual function, overall satisfaction, and side effects.
METHODS
Bremelanotide prescription dispensing data from our facility was compiled from September 2019 to June 30, 2023 and analyzed for prescribing patterns and refill rates. We performed a one-group study design for men with SD who were prescribed bremelanotide. Participants answered the Quality of Life Dimension of Sexual Quality of Life Questionnaire, Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) and General Assessment Questions online. Participants completed a structured interview over the telephone with a single interviewer. Descriptive statistics characterized the study cohort. Adverse events were collected.
RESULTS
Over the 46-months, bremelanotide has been dispensed to men for SD 444 times; 65% of dispenses were refills. Over a recent 18 period, refill rates have been 73% (n=219). 25 men signed consent and 20 completed the online questionnaires. 75% of these men were more satisfied with their lovemaking and duration of lovemaking; 88% reported vaginal insertion was easier and 67% said it was easier to orgasm. Concerning feelings about initiating lovemaking, 80% were more at ease and 73% anticipated it would be more pleasurable and more carefree. 64% believed orgasm was more pleasurable and 69% said that lovemaking was more pleasurable while 73% reported that the partner’s overall experience was more pleasurable. Using the PGI-I, 72% of participants felt that sexual function after using bremelanotide was a little better, much better, or very much better. Side effects included nausea (30%), flushing (22%), headache (13%), bothersome spontaneous erections without sexual stimulation for about 24 hours after injection (13%), and incontinence, cramping and abdominal burning (4% each). All adverse events were transient.
CONCLUSIONS
Bremelanotide acts centrally by raising dopamine, unlike PDE5 inhibitors that act peripherally. Our study showed that bremelanotide safely and effectively improved SD for some men.
