'Off-label' drug use in sexual medicine treatment.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the only drugs approved for a specific sexual function disorder. All other drugs used in the treatment of sexual disorders are used 'off-label.' This paper reviews the use of drugs in the treatment of premature ejaculation, Peyronie's disease and female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). While the treatment of premature ejaculation is quite well documented and supported by evidence of good quality in the medical literature, there is little evidence for the use of the variety of medications in use for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. In particular, the use of verapamil is not supported by any double-blind studies whatsoever. The use of testosterone patch for treatment of HSDD in postmenopausal women is well documented, but not in premenopausal women.
Fallon
B
B
Department of Urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. bernard-fallon@uiowa.edu
D004348:Drug Labeling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D014700:Verapamil