[Drugs for sexual medicine]

Abstract

Aim: To describe drugs used in sexual medicine.

Method: Pubmed search for efficacy, mode of action and side effects for each molecule. Additional data were searched from the French regulatory agencies web sites (HAS and ANSM).

Results: 5PDIs and intracavernous injection of alprostadil are first- and second-line therapies of erectile dysfunction. Dapoxetine is the first specific and approved treatment of premature ejaculation. Androgene supplementation improves sexual desire among patient with hypogonadism as much as initial serum testosterone levels are low. Female sexual dysfunctions pharmacology is to date less developed, although candidate drugs reach phase III clinical studies.

Conclusion: Pharmacology is one but not the only therapeutic avenue in sexual medicine. Despite real breakthrough such as 5PDIs for erectile dysfunction, incomplete knowledge and understanding of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology of human sexual function reduces its development particularly for women.

Keywords: 5PDIs; Dysfonction érectile; Déficit androgénique; Erectile dysfunction; IPDE5; Premature ejaculation; Testosterone; Testosterone deficiency; Testostérone; Éjaculation prématurée.