Vyleesi (bremelanotide acetate)
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) Treatment Agents Subcutaneous Auto-Injector (Ml)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Bremelanotide, a synthetic peptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), is a melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist.
Bremelanotide, a synthetic peptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), is a melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist. The precise mechanism of action of bremelanotide in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women is not known. The drug binds to and nonselectively activates several MCR subtypes, with highest affinity for MC1R, followed by MC4R, MC3R, MC5R, and MC2R in decreasing order of affinity.
At therapeutic dosages, binding to MC1R and MC4R is the most relevant. Neurons expressing MC4R are present in many areas of the CNS; MC4R is thought to play a role in sexual function (including arousal, desire, and orgasm). MC1R is expressed on melanocytes; binding of bremelanotide to MC1R leads to melanin expression and increased pigmentation. (See Focal Hyperpigmentation under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions.)
Following subcutaneous administration, peak plasma bremelanotide concentrations occur at approximately 1 hour (range: 0.5-1 hour). The absolute bioavailability following subcutaneous administration is about 100%. Systemic exposure to bremelanotide is not substantially affected by subcutaneous administration site (abdomen or thigh).
Bremelanotide is 21% bound to serum proteins. The primary metabolic pathway of bremelanotide involves multiple hydrolyses of the amide bond of the cyclic peptide to form inactive metabolites. Bremelanotide undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism.
Following administration of a radiolabeled dose of bremelanotide, approximately 65% of the total radioactivity was recovered in urine and 23% in feces. The mean terminal half-life of bremelanotide is approximately 2.7 hours (range: 1.9-4.0 hours).
USES: This medication is used to treat women who have not gone through menopause who have low sexual desire and are concerned about it. Bremelanotide should not be used to treat low sexual desire caused by a medical or mental/mood disorder, problems in a relationship, or the effects of other drugs. This medication should not be used by women who have gone through menopause, or by men.
Bremelanotide is not used to enhance sexual performance.
Generic name: bremelanotide acetate
Pronunciation: (BRE-me-LAN-oh-tide)
Drug class: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) Treatment Agents
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Vyleesi
Indications
The following indications are listed for Vyleesi:
- Premenopausal Acquired Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Also known as: Lack Of Sexual Desire In Premenopausal Woman, Low Sexual Desire In Premenopausal Woman, Premenopausal Acquired Hsdd.
Dosing
Dosage of bremelanotide acetate is expressed in terms of bremelanotide.
Bremelanotide acetate is administered by subcutaneous injection only. The drug is commercially available in single-dose prefilled auto-injectors (i.e., injection pens), which contain 1.75 mg of bremelanotide and are intended for patient self-administration.
Bremelanotide should be administered subcutaneously only into the abdomen or thigh; injections within 2 inches of the navel should be avoided. Injection into areas where the skin is irritated, tender, bruised, erythematous, indurated, or scarred also should be avoided. A different injection site should be selected for each injection. The manufacturer's labeling should be consulted for detailed instructions regarding subcutaneous administration of the drug using the prefilled auto-injectors.
Prior to administration, the injection solution should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration; the prefilled auto-injector should not be used if the solution is cloudy or discolored or contains particles.
Prefilled auto-injectors of bremelanotide acetate should be stored at room temperature up to 25degreesC. The prefilled auto-injectors should not be frozen and should be protected from light.
Bremelanotide was administered intranasally+ in some initial clinical trials; however, intranasal use of the drug was associated with variable bioavailability that could result in increased adverse effects (e.g., hypertension) or decreased efficacy. Therefore, a subcutaneous formulation of bremelanotide was developed instead of an intranasal formulation.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Vyleesi 1.75 Mg/0.3 Ml Autoinj | Maintenance | Inject 1.75 mg by subcutaneous route once in the abdomen or thigh at least 45 minutes before sexual activity, not to exceed 1 dose in 24 hrs. |
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
Bremelanotide undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism and does not inhibit nor induce hepatic microsomal enzymes at therapeutic dosages in vitro. Clinically important pharmacokinetic interactions are therefore unlikely with drugs affecting or metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
Bremelanotide is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or known cardiovascular disease. (See Cardiovascular Effects under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions.)
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
- Hypertension
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
Adverse effects reported in more than 4% of patients with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in controlled clinical trials and more frequently than with placebo include nausea (see Nausea under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions), flushing, injection site reactions, headache, and vomiting.
Less Frequent
- Hypertension
- Increased creatine kinase level
Rare or Very Rare
- Hepatitis
More Frequent
- Flushing
- Headache disorder
- Injection site sequelae
- Nausea
- Skin pigmentation enhancement
- Vomiting
Less Frequent
- Arthralgia
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Myalgia
- Nasal congestion
- Pain
- Paresthesia
- Restless leg syndrome
- Rhinorrhea
- Upper abdominal pain
Rare or Very Rare
- Flu-like symptoms
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
Safety and efficacy of bremelanotide have not been established in pediatric patients.
The few pregnancies in women exposed to bremelanotide in clinical trials are insufficient to determine whether there is a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Based on animal studies, bremelanotide may cause fetal harm. Embryofetal toxicity and developmental delays were observed when the drug was administered subcutaneously on a daily basis to pregnant animals at exposures of 16 or more times the maximum recommended dosage based on area under the concentration-time curve (AUC). However, the lowest bremelanotide dosage associated with fetal harm in animals has not been identified.
Bremelanotide use during pregnancy is not recommended. Women of reproductive potential should use effective contraceptive methods during bremelanotide therapy and the drug should be discontinued if pregnancy is suspected. (See Drug Interactions: Oral Contraceptives.)
A pregnancy registry has been established to monitor pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to bremelanotide during pregnancy; patients or clinicians may contact the Vyleesi Pregnancy Exposure Registry at 877-411-2510 to report any exposures to the drug that occur during pregnancy.
It is not known whether bremelanotide or its metabolites are distributed into human milk. The effects of the drug on the breast-fed infant or on milk production also are unknown. The manufacturer states that the developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for bremelanotide and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed infant from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.
Safety and efficacy of bremelanotide have not been established in geriatric patients. The manufacturer states that bremelanotide is not indicated for treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in postmenopausal women+.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Premenopausal acquired hypoactive sexual desire disorder | ||
| F52.0 | ICD10CM | Hypoactive sexual desire disorder |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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