The novel drug bremelanotide shows promise in acquired female hypoactive sexual desire disorder, according to the results of two randomized, controlled trials and a 52-week open-label extension study published online in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Bremelanotide, which received Food and Drug Administration approval for this indication in June 2019, is an analog of the endogenous neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
Two separate, identically designed phase 3 studies (RECONNECT) were performed by Sheryl Kingsburg, MD, of the Cleveland Medical Center, and associates. Combined, 1,267 premenopausal women in monogamous relationships with acquired hypoactive sexual desire disorder were randomized to bremelanotide or placebo. Women in the treatment arm had significant improvement in female sexual function index–desire domain (FSFI-D) scores from baseline to week 24 (integrated studies: 0.35; P less than .001; effect size, 0.39), compared with placebo. They also experienced significant improvement in the FSFI-desire/arousal/orgasm (FSFI-DAO) domain (integrated studies: –0.33; P less than .001; effect size, 0.27).
The most common adverse events were nausea (integrated: 40% versus 1% in placebo), flushing (20% versus 0.3%), and headache (11% versus 2%). Overall, 77% in the treatment group reported a treatment-emergent adverse event, compared with 58% in the placebo group.
The open-label follow-up study was led by James Simon, MD, of George Washington University and IntimMedicine Specialists, Washington. Of the 684 participants who opted to enter the extension study, 40% completed it. In those who received bremelanotide during the randomized trial, the change in FSFI-D scores from baseline to the end of the open-label study ranged from 1.25 to 1.30, while the change in FSFI-DAO ranged from –1.4 to –1.7. In patients originally on placebo, the changes were 0.70-0.77 and –0.9, respectively.
Both groups surpassed the minimally clinically important difference for the FSFI-D score, which is considered to be 0.6.
“Patients switching from placebo experienced a higher incidence of adverse events than those continuing on bremelanotide during the open-label extension (79% versus 63%, respectively),” Dr. Simon and associates said.
The treatment is subcutaneous and can be self-administered up to about 45 minutes before a sexual event, no more than once during a 24-hour period, and no more than 8 doses per month, according to an FDA press release. The drug is contraindicated for women with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension due to observations of transiently, slightly increased blood pressure.
The trials were funded by Palatin Technologies and AMAG Pharmaceuticals. The authors and coauthors have extensive financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Carson reported no financial conflicts.
SOURCE: Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Oct 8. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003500; Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Oct 8. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003514.