Method for ameliorating male erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Impotence can be ameliorated without substantial undesirable side effects by nasal administration of apomorphine, optionally with an antiemetic agent present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce nausea symptoms that may be associated with the use of apomorphine.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of ameliorating erectile dysfunction in a male patient which comprises administering to said patient apomorphine or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof prior to sexual activity, in an amount sufficient to induce an erection adequate for vaginal penetration but less than an amount that induces nausea and to maintain a plasma concentration of apomorphine at a level of no more than about 5.5 ng/ml.  
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the plasma concentration of apomorphine is maintained at a level of about 0.3 to about 4 ng/ml.  
     
     
         3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the plasma concentration of apomorphine is maintained at a level of about 1 to about 2 ng/ml.  
     
     
         4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the amount of apomorphine administered is in the range of about 2.5 milligrams to about 10 milligrams.  
     
     
         5 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the amount of apomorphine administered is in the range of about 25 to about 75 micrograms per kilogram of body weight.  
     
     
         6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein apomorphine is administered as the hydrochloride salt.  
     
     
         7 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the apomorphine is administered together with an anti-emetic agent.  
     
     
         8 . The method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein the antiemetic agent is domperidone.  
     
     
         9 . A method of inducing an erection by stimulating dopamine receptors in the mid-brain region of a patient to cause an erection without inducing nausea which comprises administering to the patient apomorphine in a dose containing about 25 to about 60 micrograms of apomorphine per kilogram of body weight and at a rate so as to maintain a patient's plasma concentration of apomorphine at a value of no more than about 5.5 nanograms per milliliter during sexual activity.  
     
     
         10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the patient's plasma concentration of apomorphine is maintained in the range of about 0.3 to about 4 nanograms per milliliter during sexual activity.  
     
     
         11 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the patient's plasma concentration of apomorphine is maintained in the range of about 1 to about 2 nanograms per milliliter during sexual activity.