Viagra for Women: What to Know About Using Medication to Boost Your Sex Life
Viagra is approved only for erectile dysfunction in men, but it may have benefits for women too. Learn about Viagra and other meds for sexual problems in women.
Vyleesi
Used for Low Libido
Used for Low Libido
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) treats low sex drive that causes negative emotions in people who haven't gone through menopause yet. This medication belongs to the drug class called melanocortin receptor agonists. Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is an autoinjector that you use to inject the medication under the skin. It's injected as needed at least 45 minutes before sex. Common side effects include nausea, flushing of the skin, and injection site reactions.
What is Vyleesi (bremelanotide)?
What is Vyleesi (bremelanotide) used for?
- Low sexual desire in people who haven't gone through menopause yet
How Vyleesi (bremelanotide) works
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is a melanocortin receptor agonist. The medication attaches to proteins in the brain called melanocortin receptors. Though unclear, it's thought that the melanocortin system in the body plays a role in regulating sexual behavior.
When does Vyleesi (bremelanotide) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Vyleesi |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Melanocortin receptor agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Vyleesi (bremelanotide) essentials
Side effects of Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (40%)
- Flushing of the skin (20%)
- Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, itching, bruising; 13%)
- Headache (11%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- "Pins and needles" feeling in the arms and legs
- Hot flush
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
When do Vyleesi (bremelanotide) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Nausea
Flushing
Slower heartbeat
Higher blood pressure
Injection site reactions
The following Vyleesi (bremelanotide) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Change in skin color
- Increase in blood pressure
- Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
Pros
- One of the few medications approved for low sex drive in people who haven't gone through menopause yet
- Can take when you need it (at least 45 minutes before sex)
- Less limitations for drinking alcohol than Addyi (flibanserin)
- Available by prescription from many healthcare professionals
Cons
- Must inject under the skin
- Not for low sexual desire caused by a medical or mental health condition, relationship problems, or side effects from another medication or substance
- Not proven to improve sexual performance
- Not available as a lower-cost generic
Pharmacist tips for Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
- Use Vyleesi (bremelanotide) when you need it, at least 45 minutes before sex. Don't take more than one dose in a day.
- It's common to feel nauseous after the first time you use Vyleesi (bremelanotide), but it should improve with each dose you take. The nausea usually lasts for a few hours. Stay hydrated and try ginger or peppermint to relieve your nausea. Let your prescriber know if the nausea is too bothersome.
- Talk to your prescriber if you don't notice any improvement in your sex drive after 2 months of using Vyleesi (bremelanotide). Your prescriber can suggest other ways to help improve your sex drive, like therapy.
- Tell your prescriber about all of the medications you're taking. Vyleesi (bremelanotide) can slow down how long it takes for medications to get absorbed into your body. This might affect how well certain medications work for you.
- Keep the Vyleesi (bremelanotide) autoinjectors at or below room temperature (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Be sure to protect the medication from light and don't freeze it.
How to use Vyleesi (bremelanotide):
- Before you take Vyleesi (bremelanotide), carefully read the instructions on how to properly inject the medication. Each autoinjector contains enough medication for one dose.
- Before using the Vyleesi (bremelanotide) autoinjector, check the view window to make sure the medication is clear and colorless without any solid pieces floating around. Otherwise, don't use the autoinjector. It might mean that the medication has broken down or has germs in it, and it won't be safe for you to use.
- Also check the Vyleesi (bremelanotide) autoinjector to see that the medication is in one half of the view window and part of the gray tip is in the other half. The autoinjector won't work if the view window is purple, so you'll need to use a new one if this happens.
- Inject Vyleesi (bremelanotide) into the skin on the front of your thigh or on your stomach area (2 inches away from your belly button). Make sure to choose a different area to inject the medication into every time to lower your risk for skin irritation. Also avoid injecting into skin that's sore, bruised, red, hard, or scarred.
- When you're ready to use Vyleesi (bremelanotide), take off the clear cap and use it right away. Place the purple tip flat against your skin with the view window facing you. Press down and hold the autoinjector against your skin. You'll hear a click at the start of the injection and another click after about 2 seconds. Keep holding the autoinjector against your skin for about 5 more seconds. Then, check that the view window is mostly purple; this means that you got the full dose. Lift the autoinjector off your skin.
- Throw away the Vyleesi (bremelanotide) autoinjector into a sharps disposal container right after you use it. This prevents accidental needle sticks and injury.
Risks and warnings for Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Brief changes in blood pressure and heart rate
- Risk factors: Medical conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular disease) | Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) can briefly raise your blood pressure and lower your heart rate after each dose. In studies, these changes happened 2 to 4 hours after taking a dose of medication. Your blood pressure and heart rate should go back to usual within 12 hours after the dose.
Your prescriber might check your heart health and blood pressure before you start Vyleesi (bremelanotide). Because of these changes in blood pressure and heart rate, this medication isn't recommended for people at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
Your prescriber might periodically check your vital signs at your follow-up visits while you're taking Vyleesi (bremelanotide). Be sure to avoid taking more than one dose in a 24-hour period or more than eight doses in a month. Taking doses more often or too close together can lead to more notable rises in blood pressure.
Darkening of the skin
- Risk factors: Taking Vyleesi (bremelanotide) every day | People with dark skin
It's possible for Vyleesi (bremelanotide) to darken the color of your skin. Some areas where the skin might darken include the face, gums in your mouth, and breasts. This might happen because the medication can attach to melanocortin receptors on skin cells that produce skin color (melanocytes). This causes the color of the skin to darken.
Skin darkening is more likely to happen if you take Vyleesi (bremelanotide) every day or if you have naturally dark skin. Don't use more than 8 doses of Vyleesi (bremelanotide) per month; this might raise your risk for skin darkening. It's not known whether the color of the skin will go back to normal after you stop taking the medication. Talk to your prescriber if you take Vyleesi (bremelanotide) and notice any areas of darkened skin.
Nausea
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) can cause nausea as a side effect. Some people started feeling nauseous after about 30 minutes after an injection and then felt better about 2 hours later. Nausea most commonly happens when you take your first dose of Vyleesi (bremelanotide), and it should improve with each of your following doses.
Talk to a healthcare professional if your nausea doesn't improve with time or if it's too bothersome. They can discuss with you whether any nausea medications can help or whether you should stop taking Vyleesi (bremelanotide).
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) dosage
Typical dosage for Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
The typical dose is 1.75 mg injected under the skin as needed at least 45 minutes before sex.
Don't take more than one dose per day. And it's not recommended to take more than 8 doses per month.
Vyleesi (bremelanotide) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Vyleesi (bremelanotide) will not be safe for you to take.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Known medical condition that affects the heart or blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)
What are alternatives to Vyleesi (bremelanotide)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Vyleesi (bremelanotide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
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Vyleesi (bremelanotide) images
