Health Byte
Pink pill to perk up libido:
Women who have lost their sex drive will have a little pink pill to
help them come October. On Tuesday, the US Food and Drug Administration
approved flibanserin, which will be sold as Addyi, for the treatment of
sexual dysfunction in premenopausal women.
This is the first FDA approved treatment for sexual desire in men or
women.
"Today's
approval provides women distressed by their low sexual desire with an
approved treatment option," Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a statement announcing
the approval. "The FDA strives to protect and advance the health of
women, and we are committed to supporting the development of safe and
effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction."
The approval is not without warnings. In fact, the agency approved
the drug with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, to
ensure safety. Of greatest concern, an increased risk of severe low
blood pressure, so low it can cause a temporary loss of consciousness.
This is more of a concern in patients who drink alcohol while taking the
drug. As required by REMS, health care providers who prescribe the
medication and pharmacies that dispense it are required to first
complete a training program to become certified. They will be required
to warn patients of the risks of consuming alcohol while taking Addyi
and the importance of not doing so.
In addition, the agency is requiring a 'boxed warning' to notify
patients who drink alcohol, have liver problems or those who take
medications called CYP3A4 inhibitors (which interfere with the breakdown
of the medication in the body) not to take Addyi.
A 2002 study found that up to one-third of adult women might
experience hypoactive sexual desire disorder, a technical term for when
women lack sexual desire or fantasy.
Some experts say that for women, the cure for low libido is more
likely to be found in their brains than in a bottle.
"Women's sexuality is very complicated. It's not a matter of just
taking that pill, by the way, and then all of a sudden the lights go
on," said Judy Kuriansky, a clinical psychologist and certified sex
therapist. "You have to feel good about your body. You have to feel good
about yourself. You have to feel the guy really loves you. ... It's
complex. It's not the same as a man taking a pill."
Addyi is frequently referred to as 'female Viagra' because it's a
pill for sexual dysfunction in women. However, experts say it's a
misnomer to describe it as such because it works in a distinctly
different way to target the brain.
Viagra treats erectile dysfunction, a physical problem, and does not
induce sexual desire. Addyi works on the central nervous system, which
is why it's in the same category as an antidepressant.
Another difference is that men take Viagra as needed before a sexual
encounter, and women take Addyi once every night. Taking it at night
will reduce the likelihood of adverse reactions from low blood pressure
and sleepiness or depression from a depressed central nervous system.
Other common side effects include dizziness, nausea, fatigue,
insomnia and dry mouth.
In clinical trials, women taking the drug experienced a 37% increase
in sexual desire, according to Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which makes the
drug.
-CNN
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