Vyleesi Injection : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Vyleesi (Bremelanotide) injection is used to treat women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD; low sex drive causing interpersonal distress or difficulty) who have not experienced menopause (life change; end of monthly menstrual periods); who have not had problems with low sex drive in the past; and whose low sex drive is not due to a medical or mental health problem, a relationship problem, or the use of medications or other drugs. Vyleesi injection should not be used to treat HSDD in women who have gone through menopause, in men, or to improve sexual performance. Vyleesi 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.

How should this medicine be used?

Vyleesi (Bremelanotide) injection comes as a solution (liquid) in a pre-filled automatic injection device to inject subcutaneously (under the skin). It is usually injected as needed, at least 45 minutes before sexual activity. The best time to inject yourself with Vyleesi injection will be determined by you and your doctor based on how well the medicine 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 parts you do not understand. Use Vyleesi injection exactly as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Do not inject more than one dose of Vyleesi injection within 24 hours. Do not inject more than 8 doses of Vyleesi injection in a month.

Before using Vyleesi injection for the first time, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. 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 medicine.

Use a new pre-filled automatic injection device each time you inject your medicine. Do not reuse or share automatic injection devices. Dispose of 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 dispose of the puncture resistant container.

You should inject the Vyleesi injection into the skin of the stomach area or the front of the thigh. Avoid giving the 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 clothing. Choose a different site each time you give yourself an injection.

Always look at your Vyleesi solution before you inject it. It must be transparent and free of particles. Do not use Vyleesi 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 uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using Vyleesi injection,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Vyleesi, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Vyleesi 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: oral antibiotics, indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex), and oral naltrexone (in Contrave, in Embeda). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure that cannot be controlled with medicine or heart disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use Vyleesi injection.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, any type of heart problem, 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 Vyleesi injection. If you become pregnant while using Vyleesi injection, call your doctor.
  • You should know that Vyleesi injection can cause darkening of the skin in certain parts of the body, such as the face, gums, and breasts. The likelihood of darkening of the skin is greater in people with darker skin color and in people who used Vyleesi injection for eight days in a row. The darkening of the skin may not go away, even after you stop using Vyleesi injection. Talk to your doctor about any changes to your skin while using this medicine.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Vyleesi 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 SPECIAL 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

Vyleesi injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature and protected from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or is unable to wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.

What other information should I know?

Keep all your appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Vyleesi®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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