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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Dec 22.
Published in final edited form as: Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2009 Oct;7(4):260–269. doi: 10.2174/187152509789541882

Table 1.

Potential and Current Therapeutic Options Available for the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction

General Target Product Brand, Company Mechanism of Action
Peripheral Vaginal/Clitoral Blood flow
PDE5 inhibitors Sildenafil
Tadalafil
Vardenafil		 (Viagra®, Pfizer)
(Cialis®, Lilly)
(Levitra®, Bayer)		 Inline graphic cGMP availability; mediates vascular smooth muscle (VSM) relaxation
Prostaglandin Alprostadil (Femprox®, NexMed)
(Alista®, Vivus)		 Binds to EP2 receptor;
Inline graphic cAMP and mediates VSM relaxation
Nitric oxide L-arginine-
yohimbine
L-arginine		 (NMI-870®, NitroMed)
(ArginMax®, The Daily Wellness Co.)		 Inline graphic NO production; augments
cGMP availability; mediates VSM relaxation
VIP Candoxatril (Candoxatrilat®, Pfizer) Inhibits degradation of VIP;
Inline graphic VSM relaxation
Hormonal
Estrogen Estradiol (Vagifem®, Upjohn)
(Premarin®, Wyeth)		 Improves vaginal dryness and irritation
Testosterone Testosterone
Testosterone
Testosterone		 (Intrensa®, Watson)
(Tostrelle®, Cellegy)
(Androsorb®, Novavax)		 Inline graphic sexual activity, libido and pleasure
Synthetic Tibolone (Livial®, Organon) Improves vaginal dryness and overall sexual function
CNS
Dopaminergic agonist Apomorphine
Bupropion		 (Uprima®, Tap)
(Wellbutrin XL®, GlaxoSmithKline)		 Binds to D receptors; increases sexual responsiveness
Synthetic α-melanocortin- stimulating hormone Bremelanotide (PT-141®, Palatin) Binds to MC4 receptors; contributes to VSM relaxation