Apomorphine For ED: Does It Work? – Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that impacts millions of men worldwide. It can stem from psychological issues like anxiety and depression, to physiological issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hormonal imbalances. Although other medications are in use for ED, apomorphine has now emerged as a potential solution for men seeking relief. This post talks about what apomorphine does, how it works, whether it’s safe or not, side effects, and tips for patients who might consider using it.
What is Apomorphine?
Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist, most commonly used to treat Parkinson’s and more recently as an off-label ED medication. While PDE5 inhibitors, like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil), improve the flow of blood to the scrotum, apomorphine affects the central nervous system. By activating dopamine receptors, it arouses and responds to sexual cues.
How Does Apomorphine Work For ED?
Apomorphine acts centrally in the brain to cause erections. It is thought to enhance nitric oxide release, a neurotransmitter involved in erections, by modulating dopaminergic systems that regulate libido.
APHORPHONE – Proported prior to sex – enhances both sex-motivation and the bodily response to sexual stimulation, resulting in more effective erections. Apomorphine is administered subcutaneously or as a film placed under the tongue, where it will take effect faster than a pill.
Effectiveness of Apomorphine
Apomorphine, as it has been shown in clinical trials, can effectively treat erectile dysfunction in men who otherwise might not be suitable candidates for conventional PDE5 inhibitors. A few key findings include:
Response Rate: Equivalent Efficacy
We know that apomorphine induces enough erections in about half of the patients. Such a response rate is impressively similar to the success achieved by Tadalafil, another popular PD5 inhibitor. In the case of these patients who have attempted other forms of treatment with limited success, apomorphine represents an alternative option, and thus extends the therapeutic spectrum to these patients with ED. This is particularly significant because untreated ED has been linked to low self-esteem and damaged relationships.
Short Onset: Ready When You Are
A strange aspect of apomorphine’s mechanism of action is the instantaneity of its effects. The capsule elicits satisfactory outcomes typically within 20-30 minutes of its administration. It is an effect particularly suited to sex and spontaneity. This implies that, through this route, couples are able to spend time together without any major planning. Such spontaneity can also facilitate sexual experiences and, thus, relationships, leading to enhanced quality of life for erectile dysfunction patients.
An Excellent Alternative for Contraindications
In addition to this, apomorphine can be an excellent alternative for men who are not able to use standard ED medications. For example, people on nitrates – one of the most common cardiovascular disease medications – are generally told not to take PDE5 inhibitors for fear of severe hypotension. Apomorphine would remove these risks and therefore make it safer for those sections of the population that would otherwise have very few choices. What’s more, it opens up a new route for those who experience severe side effects from other medications.
Side Effects and Considerations
Though generally safe, apomorphine is also risky. Common side-effects of using it include:
Nausea: Many users experience mild to moderate nausea, which goes away during the day or as the dose is reduced.
Dizziness: Because it influences the blood pressure and central nervous system, some men may experience dizziness or light-headedness.
Headaches: They experience headaches,which might be caused by alterations in the circulation and blood pressure.
Patients should always seek the advice of their physician before taking apomorphine, particularly those with a history of cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, or those on drugs that might interact with it.
There are also restrictions to the use of apomorphine for ED.
1. Limited Efficacy:
Apomorphine appears to have moderate ED treatment benefits. As reported in the Journal of Urology, apomorphine gave 40-60% of men an erection, which is less effective than the other ED medications such as sildenafil (75%). Further, the erection produced with apomorphine usually lasts less time than other ED medications.
2. Adverse Effects:
Some of the side effects reported for apomorphine have been nausea, vomiting and orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up). These are serious side effects that could cause you to stop taking the drug. A recent study in the International Journal of Impotence Research found that up to 20% of men on apomorphine feel nausea and 5% vomit.
3. Delayed Onset of Action:
Apomorphine takes a bit longer to work than other ED medications. It can take 15-20 minutes for apomorphine and 30 minutes for sildenafil to kick in. This inability to act quickly is unnecessarily time-consuming and might affect the spontaneity of sex.
4. Route of Administration:
Apomorphine is available now only as a sublingual tablet, which some men might not prefer since it could leave their mouths tasteless or numb. And the sublingual route may not be the best option for dry-mouthed men or those who have trouble swallowing pills.
5. Interactions with Other Medications:
Apomorphine is broken down by the liver enzyme CYP2B6, which also breaks down a number of other medications. This means that apomorphine can interact with other medications (antidepressants, anti-arrhythmics, antipsychotics) and result in unwanted side effects or decreased efficacy. As the study noted in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, concurrent administration of apomorphine with CYP2B6 inhibitors could result in 6-fold higher apomorphine plasma levels, which could lead to greater adverse effects.
Conclusion: Apomorphine For ED: Does It Work?
Apomorphine is an option for males suffering from erectile dysfunction, particularly men who haven’t found effective treatment. Though research shows that it is effective, consumers should know about side effects of the medication and speak to physicians about whether it is the right drug for them. The treatment options for ED remain changing, but the landscape continues to bring hope and answers to men seeking a path back to a good sexual life. As always, good judgment with the help of medical advice is the key to effectively coping with erectile dysfunction.
