Viagra for women now out

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a "little pink pill" designed to boost women's libido. It's expected to hit the market in October. A "little pink pill" designed to boost women's libido won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday, becoming the first drug of its kind allowed on the market alongside several medications to improve sexual function in men"It's been a long time coming," says Cindy Whitehead, CEO of drug-maker Sprout Pharmaceuticals of Raleigh, N.C. "We're thrilled...This opens the door to medical treatment for women" never available before. Flibanserin, which Whitehead says should hit the market by Oct. 17 under the brand name Addyi, has been dubbed "Viagra for women" even though it works very differently from the erectile dysfunction drug for men. Supporters say the new drug is a necessary option for the millions of women suffering from low sex drive, but critics question whether it's safe or effective enough.


How does it work? 
Addyi, known generically as flibanserin, acts on brain chemicals associated with mood and appetite, similar to antidepressant drugs. In fact, it was originally studied as a treatment for depression before being repurposed into a libido drug. It's not entirely clear why the drug increases sexual desire but researchers point to its ability to increase dopamine — a brain chemical associated with appetite — while lowering serotonin — another chemical linked with feelings of satiation.

Who will take this drug?
The FDA approved Addyi for premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire survey estimate that between 5.5 million to 8.6 million U.S. women have the condition, or roughly 8 to 14 percent of women ages 20 to 49. Because so many other factors affect sexual appetite, there are a number of alternate causes doctors must rule out before diagnosing the condition, including relationship problems, medical conditions and mood issues caused by other medications like sleeping aids and painkillers.
The diagnosis is not universally accepted and many psychologists argue that low sex drive should not be considered a medical condition.


What are the side effects?
About 10 percent of patients in Sprout's studies experienced the most common problems: dizziness, fatigue and nausea. The drug will also bear a boxed warning that women should not drink or take certain types of other medications, including antifungal drugs, because of an interaction that can cause low blood pressure and fainting.

How much will it cost?
Sprout says women who have health insurance will pay between $30 and $75 for a month's supply of Addyi, depending on their coverage terms.



Does the drug work?
Experts usually describe Addyi's effect as "modest." In company studies, women taking flibanserin reported a slight increase in sexually satisfying events each month. Their answers to separate questionnaires indicated they experienced a slight increase in desire and a slight decrease in stress.
While FDA scientists describe these effects as "small," they were significant enough to meet FDA effectiveness standards.

When will the drug be available?
Sprout plans to launch the drug in mid-October.