Zee Media Bureau
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved flibanserin, a drug touted as viagra for females, for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in pre-menopausal women.
This is the first FDA approved treatment for sexual desire in men or women.
However, those who plan to use it should be aware of the vehement debate over the drug's fate.
How does Addyi work?
Flibanserin, which will be sold as Addyi, aims to boost the libido of women who struggle with decreased sex drive. It is specifically designed for pre-menopausal women whose lack of sexual desire causes distress.
How is Addyi different from normal viagra?
Unlike Viagra, which impacts blood flow to the genitals, Addyi is meant to trigger sexual impulses in the brain. It is similar to a class of other drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI's, that include anti-depressants such as Prozac.
Warnings and risks:
Addyi’s label has a serious boxed warning stating that the drug should not be used by those who drink alcohol, since that can increase the risk of severely low blood pressure and fainting. It is also not to be used with certain other drugs and by people with liver impairment.
To add to the complications, doctors won't be able to prescribe it unless they complete an online certification test.
