The first drug promising to boost women's libido is finally out in the market last Saturday, October 17. The little pink pill called Addyi is indicated for women who have low libido or no longer have sexual desires.
As per the Food and Drug Administration's recommendation, this is prescribed to women in their pre-menopausal stage as long as their decrease in libido is not a result from a mental condition and other drug or substances but solely from illnesses like hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Furthermore, it is not given to post-menopausal women as further studies are still to be conducted to ensure its safety and efficiency of use.
Instead of working in the blood flow like the Viagra in men, the first prescription medication on boosting sexual urges for women works by triggering a part of the brain that is responsible for pleasure by sending certain chemicals. However, the drug is not a one-time use and should be taken on a daily basis for a prescribed period of time to be effective.
Despite contentions that the drug did not have impressive progress as it only increases libido and has no effects on arousal, its manufacturing company Sprout Pharmaceuticals was acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International at US$1 billion after the drug was approved.
Valeant foresees consumers given the facts that there is an estimated number (10 percent, according to a study) of women experiencing HSDD and there are also those affected by anti-depressant medication-induced low libido side effect. Although the latter indication has not been approved yet, doctors would most likely prescribe it off-label.
"People will ask for it, and doctors will prescribe it," Shari Lusskin, a psychiatrist and professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York said. "It's really the doctor's responsibility to tell patients whether something is appropriate for them or not, but I'm afraid doctors are often willing to do what patients ask,"
For patients with insurance, price starts at US$20 per month. Manufacturers warn that drinking of alcoholic beverages is prohibited while taking the drug as this can lead to decrease in blood pressure and fainting.
