General

Pronunciation:
bre-me-lan-oh-tide

Trade Name(s)

• Vyleesi

Ther. Class.

sexual dysfunction agents

Pharm. Class.

melanocortin receptor agonists

Indications

Premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) that is characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and is NOT due to a concurrent medical or psychiatric condition, relationship problems, or the effects of a medication or drug substance.

Action

Stimulates various melanocortin receptors, with the most notable being MC4R (present in the CNS) and MC41 (present on melanocytes). The precise mechanism by which this receptor activation improves HSDD is unknown.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

Improved sexual desire.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Completely absorbed following SUBQ administration.

Distribution: Not distributed to the tissues.

Metabolism and Excretion: Primarily undergoes hydrolysis; 65% excreted in urine, 23% in feces.

Half-life: 2.7 hr

TIME/ACTION PROFILE (plasma concentrations)

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

• Uncontrolled hypertension;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• OB:  Pregnancy.

Use Cautiously in:

• High risk for cardiovascular disease;
• Dark skin (↑ risk for focal hyperpigmentation);
• Severe renal impairment;
• Severe hepatic impairment;
• Lactation:  Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant;
• Rep:   Women of reproductive potential;
• Pedi:   Safety and effectiveness not established in children.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

CV: ↓ HR, ↑ BP

Derm: flushing, focal hyperpigmentation

EENT: nasal congestion, rhinorrhea

GI: nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting

Local: injection site reactions

MS: ↑ CK, arthralgia, myalgia, pain

Neuro: headache, dizziness, fatigue, paresthesia, restless leg syndrome

Resp: cough

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Drug-Drug

• May ↓ absorption of concurrently administered medications; avoid using bremelanotide when using antibiotics or analgesics.
• May ↓ levels and effectiveness of  naltrexone ; avoid using bremelanotide in patients using naltrexone for substance use disorders.

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults): 1.75 mg given on an as-needed basis ≥45 min before anticipated sexual activity (not to exceed one dose/24 hr or 8 doses/mo). Discontinue after 8 wk if no improvement in symptoms.

Availability

Solution for injection (autoinjectors): 1.75 mg/0.3 mL

Assessment

• Assess sexual desire prior to and periodically during therapy.
• Assess cardiovascular risk and control of BP periodically during therapy. SBP ↑ 6 mm Hg, DBP ↑ 3 mm Hg, and HR ↓ up to 5 bpm transiently after dose; usually return to normal within 12 hr of dose.
• Assess for focal hyperpigmentation of face, gingiva, and breasts periodically during therapy. More common in patients with dark skin or with >8 doses/mo. Consider discontinuation of therapy if hyperpigmentation occurs; may not resolve with discontinuation.
• Assess for nausea during therapy; may require antiemetics. Usually improves with 2nd dose; may require discontinuation.

Implementation

• SUBQ Using autoinjector, inject into abdomen or thigh 45 min before anticipated sexual activity. Do not administer >1 dose/24 hr or >8 doses/mo.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Explain purpose and side effects of medication to patient. Advise patient to read  Patient Information  before starting therapy. Instruct patient to take medication as directed with no more than 1 dose/24 hr or no more than 8 doses/mo. Educate patient on proper self-injection administration.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and consult health care professional before taking any new medications.
• Inform patient that ↑ in BP and ↓ in HR may occur after each dose; usually resolve within 12 hr.
• Inform patient that darkening of the skin of the face, gums, and breasts may occur, especially in patients with darker skin. Risks ↑ with daily use. Advise patient that changes may not resolve after stopping the medication. Contact health care professional for concerns about skin changes.
• Inform patient that nausea may occur, especially after first dose, lasting ≥2 hr. May require antiemetics. Advise patient to notify health care professional if nausea is problematic.
• Rep:  Advise women of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or expected or if breastfeeding. Discontinue bremelanotide if pregnancy is suspected. Encourage pregnant patients exposed to bremelanotide to call the VYLEESI Pregnancy Exposure Registry at 1-877-411-2510.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

Improved sexual desire.