Uses
Bremelanotide injection is used to treat women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD; a low sexual desire that causes distress or interpersonal difficulty) who have not experienced menopause (change of life; the end of monthly menstrual periods); who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past; and whose low sexual desire is not due to a medical or mental health problem, a relationship problem, or medication or other drug use. Bremelanotide injection should not be used for the treatment of HSDD in women who have gone through menopause, in men, or to improve sexual performance. Bremelanotide injection is in a class of medications called melanocortin receptor agonists. It works by activating certain natural substances in the brain that control mood and thinking.
Side Effects Of Bremelanotide Injection
Bremelanotide injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea (most common after the first dose and usually lasts for about 2 hours)
- vomiting
- headache
- flushing
- nasal stuffiness
- cough
- tiredness
- dizziness
- pain, redness, bruising, itching, numbness, or tingling in the area where the medication was injected
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor:
- increase in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate that may last for up to 12 hours after a dose
Bremelanotide injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using bremelanotide injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bremelanotide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in bremelanotide injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antibiotics taken by mouth, indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex), and naltrexone taken by mouth (in Contrave, in Embeda). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure that is not able to be controlled by medication or heart disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use bremelanotide injection.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, any type of heart problems, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Use effective birth control during your treatment with bremelanotide injection. If you become pregnant while using bremelanotide injection, call your doctor.
- you should know that bremelanotide injection may cause darkening of the skin on certain parts of the body including the face, gums, and breasts. The chance of darkening skin is higher in people with darker skin color and in people who used bremelanotide injection for eight days in a row. Darkening of the skin may not go away, even after you stop using bremelanotide injection. Talk to your doctor about any changes to your skin while using this medication
Bremelanotide Injection Dosage
Bremelanotide injection comes as a solution (liquid) in a prefilled automatic injection device to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected as needed, at least 45 minutes before sexual activity. You and your doctor will determine the best time for you to inject bremelanotide injection based on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use bremelanotide injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not inject more than one dose of bremelanotide injection within 24 hours. Do not inject more than 8 doses of bremelanotide injection within a month.
Before you use bremelanotide injection yourself the first time, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to inject it. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to inject this medication.
Use a new prefilled automatic injection device each time you inject your medication. Do not reuse or share automatic injection devices. Discard used automatic injection devices in a puncture resistant container that is out of the reach of children. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to discard the puncture-resistant container.
You should inject bremelanotide injection into the skin of the stomach area or the front of the thigh. Avoid giving your injection within the 2-inch area around your belly button. Do not inject into areas where the skin is irritated, sore, bruised, red, hard, or scarred. Do not inject through your clothes. Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection.
Always look at your bremelanotide solution before you inject it. It should be clear and free of particles. Do not use bremelanotide solution if it is cloudy, colored, or contains particles.
If your symptoms do not improve after 8 weeks of treatment, call your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
