FDA Approves ‘Female Viagra’
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Yesterday, the FDA gave the go-ahead to flibanserin, which will be sold as Addyi, a little pink pill (actually) for premenopausal women who suffer from sexual dysfunction, CNN reports. For obvious reasons, the pill has been nicknamed the “Female Viagra.”
Rather than targeting any physical dysfunction like Viagra does, the pill targets neurotransmitters in the brain that impact sexual desire and excitement, putting it in the same lane as an antidepressant. The FDA warns that the side effects of the drug can be pretty severe. Think: Your blood pressure dropping so low that you lose consciousness if you drink while on the pill. Due to the side effects, all healthcare providers who prescribe the pill and pharmacies that dispense it will have to complete a training program to become certified first.
Sprout Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Addyi, says the drug should be available by October 17th. Now, here’s to hoping the commercials for the “Female Viagra” are little less cringe-worthy than those for the little blue pill. Doubtful, but a gal can hope.
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