Female libido drug Addyi hits market despite possible side effects

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Addyi which was previously known as flibanserin is now available for women as "female Viagra."

The little pink pill which is touted to help fight low libido in women has had controversies. Previously known as flibanserin, the pill belonged to Boehringer which was then sold to Sprout Pharmaceuticals in 2011. The drug failed to get the approval from the US Food and Drug Administration because it lacked effectiveness and caused fatigue, nausea and dizziness.

NBC News reports that the FDA was then accused of being sexist because it turned down the drug which was specifically made for increasing women's sexual desire. Many campaigners and companies helped back it up too despite critics saying that the drug could be dangerous. The approval was finally granted to Sprout in 2015 and renamed the pill to Addyi after the pharmaceutical company gave enough proof that the drug can benefit women.

However, while approved, the FDA imposed strict restrictions on the drug. According to Tech Times, Addyi's warning label states that the sexual libido drug must not be taken with alcohol or risk fainting. Those who can prescribe the drug must only be pharmacists and doctors who have passed the online certification process to ensure that they have understood the risks of the drug when they prescribe it to their patients.

"Today's approval provides women distressed by their low sexual desire with an approved treatment option," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, via the report by Philly. "The FDA strives to protect and advance the health of women, and we are committed to support the development of safe and effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction."

According to Dr. Holly Thacker at the Cleveland Clinic, Addyi is an option for women who are experiencing sexual dysfunction but it is not a treatment.

"It doesn't treat all sexual dysfunction, it won't help all women with sexual problems, but it will have a role in the therapy," Thacker said. "Just like with any medication -- adult women in conjunction with their physician can make an informed decision about whether this is an appropriate therapy for them."

According to Dr. Lisa Dabney of New York's Mt. Sinai hospital, there are a lot of women who are inquiring about the drug but were taken aback when it cannot be taken with alcohol.

"It's definitely an option that's going to help patients," says Dr. Dabney, via CBS Washington. "But it's going to have a limited patient audience because of the alcohol restrictions and the fact that you have to take it every day."