Apomorphine test: a beneficial clue for planning bromocriptine treatment in non-organic erectile dysfunction

Authors: Pekirciolu L.^{1, *}; Karabulut A.¹; Özkarde H.¹; Germiyanolu C.¹; Erol D.¹

Source: Sexual Dysfunction, Volume 1, Number 2, July 1999 , pp. 95-97(3)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

The effects of the dopaminergic system on erectile function have been throughly investigated lately and bromocriptine, a long-acting dopamine receptor agonist, is being used in the treatment of selected impotent men. Apomorphine is a short and quickly acting dopamine receptor agonist. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the apomorphine test in predicting the outcome of bromocriptine treatment for non-organic erectile dysfunction.

Following the routine diagnostic work-up for impotence, 39 impotent patients of non-organic cause received 0.5–2 mg of apomorphine hydrochloride subcutaneously as the initial test. Response to subcutaneous apomorphine was evaluated in terms of increase in penile circumference. All patients received 2.5 mg day^–1 bromocriptine orally for 2 months. Response to bromocriptine treatment in pre-treatment apomorphine test positive and negative groups were compared.

The therapeutic effect of bromocriptine was significantly higher in the apomorphine test positive group (75%, 18/24) when compared with that in the apomorphine test negative group (1/15, 6.7%; P < 0.05).

The predictive value of the apomorphine test could be beneficial in planning bromocriptine treatment for patients with non-organic erectile dysfunction.

Keywords: apomorphine; bromocriptine; erection; impotence

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Urology Clinic of the Ministry of Health Ankara Hospital, Ankara, Turkey *

Publication date: 1999-07-01

• In this: publication
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• In this Subject: Neurology & Psychiatry ,  Families & Communities
• By this author: Pekirciolu L. ;  Karabulut A. ;  Özkarde H. ;  Germiyanolu C. ;  Erol D.

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