The evaluation of apomorphine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affecting men. Apomorphine is one of the oral medications that has been used in the management of ED, though over recent years, its use in the management of ED has dwindled.

Areas covered: The authors review the evidence available for the use of apomorphine in the management of ED. A Medline search was performed searching for the articles related to the use of apomorphine in the treatment of ED from 2000 to present. The article reviews the erectogenic properties of apomorphine and evaluates its efficacy, suitability and tolerability in management of patients with ED.

Expert opinion: Apomorphine SL is more effective than placebos in treating ED and is generally well tolerated in the sublingual formulation, causing tolerable side effects. Newer nasal-spray formulations provide faster efficacy. Its efficacy in patients with multiple co-morbidities is more limited. However, it is not as effective as PDE5-I in the treatment of ED. Its most significant strength is its safety profile. It may have a niche in the treatment ED in patients who have failed treatment with, or are intolerant to other well-established pharmacological treatment for ED (e.g., PDE5-Is). Apomorphine is not a first-line treatment option for patients with ED, especially as it is no more widely available in the western world.