Jul 10
13
“Female Viagra” Flibanserin, Rejected by FDA
I had talked a few weeks ago about a new libido boosting pill that was being reviewed by the FDA for approval called Flibanserin.
It was supposed to be, or hoped to be, the equivalent to the popular impotence and sexual enhancement drugs for men like Viagra and Levitra for women, who have long gone without a drug equivalent in the sexual arena while men have enjoyed the sex boosting benefits of drugs like these.
However, there are some great natural alternatives for women to increase their libido and enhance the female sex drive and orgasmic value that are out there too, so fear not. It would be nice to have a prescription option as well though, so many women with chronic low sexual desire may find this disappointing news.
The drug was turned down for approval by the FDA recently, citing safety concerns and possible interactions with other drugs as the reason.
Interestingly enough, Flibanserin started off being studies as an antidepressant, and when it was discovered that women on the pill were reporting unusually higher incidence of sexual desire and sexual satisfaction, it was then that the drug was looked at as a possible ongoing treatment for female libido and sexual satisfaction.
The drug interacts with seratonin and helps improve this natural feel good chemical in the body, which probably explains the increase in sexual response and sexual desire.
FDA panelists did not feel that the sexual benefit compared to the recommended daily treatment of the pill was beneficial enough to warrant it’s approval as a female sexual improvement drug, so it was denied approval for this purpose.
Panelists also noticed that the side effects, which included some definite dampeners, including fatigue, depression (how ironic since this drug was originally looked at as an antidepressant, makes you wonder how valid some of these studies are), dizziness and fainting spells, simply didn’t justify it’s clinical use as a sexual improvement drug.
Well ladies, I guess we’ll have to wait on a true female Viagra type drug to come out.
