Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder" in Women.

Spielmans, Glen I·Journal of sex research·2021·Strong EvidenceMeta-Analysis
RPEP-05787Meta AnalysisStrong Evidence2021RETHINKTHC RESEARCH DATABASErethinkthc.com/research

Quick Facts

Study Type
Meta-Analysis
Evidence
Strong Evidence
Sample
N=2 phase III trials
Participants
Premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder across two 24-week phase III RCTs of bremelanotide

What This Study Found

Bremelanotide re-analysis showed 72.7% of protocol outcomes unreported, adverse event dropout OR=11.98 (NNH: 6), and participants preferred placebo (OR=0.30, NNH: 4) based on trial completion and open-label enrollment.

Key Numbers

72.7% protocol outcomes unreported; 15 non-protocol secondary measures added; adverse dropout OR 11.98 (NNH 6); participant preference OR 0.30 favoring placebo (NNH 4)

How They Did This

Meta-analysis of two phase III RCTs using FDA New Drug Application data. Re-analyzed efficacy and safety outcomes, compared to protocol-specified endpoints, and assessed participant preference through trial completion and open-label enrollment.

Why This Research Matters

Approved drugs should have clear evidence of meaningful benefit. This re-analysis raises serious concerns about the transparency and validity of the data supporting bremelanotide's approval for HSDD.

What This Study Doesn't Tell Us

Re-analysis based on publicly available FDA data, which may not include all trial details. The author's interpretation of participant preference (completing trial + enrolling in open-label) is one of several possible measures. The original authors may have additional context.

Trust & Context

Original Title:
Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder" in Women.
Published In:
Journal of sex research, 58(9), 1085-1105 (2021)
Database ID:
RPEP-05787

Evidence Hierarchy

Meta-Analysis / Systematic ReviewCombines many studies into one answer
This study
Randomized Controlled Trial
Cohort / Case-Control
Cross-Sectional / Observational
Case Report / Animal Study

Combines results from multiple studies to find an overall pattern.

What do these levels mean? →

Read More on RethinkPeptides

Cite This Study

RPEP-05787·https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-05787

APA

Spielmans, Glen I. (2021). Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder" in Women.. Journal of sex research, 58(9), 1085-1105. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1885601

MLA

Spielmans, Glen I. "Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder" in Women.." Journal of sex research, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1885601

RethinkPeptides

RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Re-Analyzing Phase III Bremelanotide Trials for "Hypoactive ..." RPEP-05787. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/spielmans-2021-reanalyzing-phase-iii-bremelanotide

Access the Original Study

Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.