Addyi
Addyi (flibanserin) is used for treating women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), or low sex drive or desire for sex. It's approved for women under 65 who are either pre or postmenopausal. The medication helps improve sexual desire, increase satisfying sexual events, and reduce stress related to low sexual desire. It's a tablet that you take once a day at bedtime. Addyi (flibanserin) side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea. Because this medication also has a risk for low blood pressure and fainting, there are some alcohol limitations with treatment.
What is Addyi (flibanserin)?
What is Addyi (flibanserin) used for?
- Low sex drive (hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD) in women under 65 who are either pre or postmenopausal
How Addyi (flibanserin) works
Addyi (flibanserin) is a serotonin receptor agonist and antagonist. We don't exactly know how the medication works, but it's thought to affect serotonin receptors in your brain. This might help improve sex drive since serotonin is a natural chemical in your body that regulates your mood and sex drive.
Drug facts
Side effects of Addyi (flibanserin)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness (11%)
- Sleepiness (11%)
- Nausea (10%)
- Tiredness (9%)
- Trouble sleeping (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Rash
Note: Side effects were reported in premenopausal women. The percentages might be a little different for postmenopausal women.
Addyi (flibanserin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: swelling of the face, lips, or mouth; itchiness; hives; trouble breathing
- Feeling faint or lightheaded
The following Addyi (flibanserin) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Addyi (flibanserin)
Pros
- One of the few FDA-approved medications for low sex drive in women under 65
- A tablet that's taken by mouth
- Few side effects
Cons
- Has limitations for drinking alcohol during treatment
- Not for low sex drive caused by a medical or mental health condition, relationship problem, or side effect from medications
- Can interact with many medications
Pharmacist tips for Addyi (flibanserin)
- Most Addyi (flibanserin) side effects, like dizziness, tiredness, and feeling faint, typically start to happen within the first 2 weeks after you start treatment. Lie down if you feel dizzy right after you take the medication. Call your prescriber if these side effects don't go away.
- Take Addyi (flibanserin) at bedtime to lower your risk of sleepiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, and accidentally hurting yourself from these side effects.
- Addyi (flibanserin) can make you sleepy and have trouble thinking clearly. Avoid driving a car or doing any activities that need your focus until at least 6 hours after you take Addyi (flibanserin) and until you know how the medication affects you.
- Wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks before you take Addyi (flibanserin). And skip your dose in the evening if you've had 3 or more alcoholic drinks. Don't drink any alcohol after you take Addyi (flibanserin); wait until the next day. Taking Addyi (flibanserin) and drinking alcohol too close together can put you at greater risk for low blood pressure and fainting.
- Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice at any time while you're taking Addyi (flibanserin). Grapefruit can raise your risk of side effects while you're taking this medication.
- Tell your care team and pharmacist about all the medications, supplements, or foods you take or planning to take. Certain medications, herbal supplements, and foods can raise your risk of side effects, such as sleepiness, low blood pressure, and fainting, while you're taking Addyi (flibanserin).
- If you miss a dose of Addyi (flibanserin) at bedtime, wait until the next night to take your next dose. Don't double up on doses to make up for a missed dose because this can raise your risk for side effects.
More on Addyi (flibanserin) tips
Common questions about Addyi (flibanserin)
During studies, people who took Addyi (flibanserin) reported having improvements in their desire for sex and satisfaction from sexual activity over 24 weeks. Keep in mind that everyone can respond to Addyi (flibanserin) differently and sex drive can be different for each person. Follow up with your prescriber to discuss how well Addyi (flibanserin) is working for your sex drive.
During studies, some people started to report having improvements in their desire for sex within 4 weeks of treatment with Addyi (flibanserin). But it could take several weeks to months to feel the full benefits of the medication. If you don't feel any difference in your sex drive after 2 months of taking the medication, talk to your prescriber. They can discuss with you about stopping treatment or about other options.
Addyi (flibanserin) itself doesn't help with depression. Keep in mind that hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), or low sex drive or desire for sex, and depression are closely tied to each other. People with sexual health problems are at very high risk for depression. And people with depression typically have a risk for sexual health problems. Addyi (flibanserin) isn't FDA approved to improve low sex drive that's related to depression. If you have low sex drive and depression, talk to a healthcare professional about a treatment plan that best fits your needs.
It depends on the antidepressant that you're taking. Some antidepressants, like fluoxetine (Prozac) and nefazodone, can interact with Addyi (flibanserin) and put you at risk for low blood pressure and fainting. In general, most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are considered safe to take with Addyi (flibanserin). Speak to your prescriber about which antidepressants you can safely take with Addyi (flibanserin).
Yes, you can take Addyi (flibanserin) after menopause if you're under 65 years old. Remember, it's only approved to help with low sexual desire that isn't caused by any other medical condition or mental health issue. It's also not for low sex drive caused by a relationship problem or side effect from another medication. Talk to your prescriber to see if Addyi (flibanserin) is a good option for you.
Speak with your prescriber if you're pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. There are currently no studies that look at how safe Addyi (flibanserin) is during pregnancy. Your prescriber can help explain the risks and benefits of taking the medication.
It depends on the type of birth control you're using. Some birth control products, such as birth control pills, can interact with Addyi (flibanserin) and put you at risk for side effects from Addyi (flibanserin). Talk to your prescriber about which birth control methods you can safely use with Addyi (flibanserin).
Be sure to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while you're taking Addyi (flibanserin). Addyi (flibanserin) itself can cause your blood pressure to drop and possibly lead to fainting, and drinking alcohol during treatment can raise this risk even further. Wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks before you take Addyi (flibanserin). Skip your dose that night if you've had 3 or more alcoholic drinks. After you take Addyi (flibanserin), don't drink any alcohol until the next day. Talk to your prescriber to discuss any concerns about your drinking habits, ways to help limit the amount you drink, or stop drinking altogether.
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Risks and warnings for Addyi (flibanserin)
Addyi (flibanserin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk for low blood pressure and fainting with alcohol use
Taking Addyi (flibanserin) and drinking alcohol too close together can put you at risk for dangerously low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting. To prevent accidental injury from these side effects, wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks before you take Addyi (flibanserin) at bedtime. Skip your dose for the night if you've had 3 or more alcoholic drinks. Don't drink any alcohol after you take Addyi (flibanserin) until the next day.
Risk for low blood pressure and fainting from drug interactions
- Risk factors: Taking medications, herbal supplements, or foods that interact with Addyi (flibanserin)
Addyi (flibanserin) can interact with certain medications, herbal supplements, and foods. These interactions can make your blood pressure drop to dangerous levels and lead to fainting. Some common medications and foods that interact with Addyi (flibanserin) include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), fluconazole (Diflucan), birth control pills, and grapefruit.
Ask your prescriber or pharmacist for a complete list of medications, supplements, and foods to avoid. Tell your care team all the other medications and herbal supplements you're taking. They can help make sure Addyi (flibanserin) is safe for you to take. Follow any directions they give you if you need to switch or stop medications to lower the risk of dangerous drug interactions.
Not safe for people with liver problems
Addyi (flibanserin) can cause dangerously low blood pressure and lead to fainting in people with liver problems. Because of this risk, people with liver problems can't take this medication. If you have liver problems, tell your prescriber before you start taking Addyi (flibanserin). They can discuss other treatment options.
Feeling sleepy and having trouble concentrating
- Risk factors: Taking Addyi (flibanserin) during the day | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness | Taking medications, supplements, or foods that interact with Addyi (flibanserin)
Addyi (flibanserin) can make you feel sleepy, tired, and less alert. These side effects can affect your ability to think and focus well. Your risk is higher if you take Addyi (flibanserin) during the day, with alcohol, or with other medications that have similar side effects.
Take Addyi (flibanserin) only at bedtime to prevent these side effects. Also avoid driving a car or doing other activities that need your attention until at least 6 hours after you take Addyi (flibanserin) and until you know how the medication affects you.
Allergic reaction
It's possible to have an allergic reaction to Addyi (flibanserin). Stop taking the medication and call for medical help right away if you notice any swelling of your face, lips, or mouth; itchiness; hives; or trouble breathing.
Addyi (flibanserin) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100mg | 30 tablets | $20.00 | $0.67 |
Typical dosage for Addyi (flibanserin)
The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth once a day at bedtime.
How much does Addyi (flibanserin) cost?
$20.00
Addyi (flibanserin) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Addyi (flibanserin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Take certain medications that interact with Addyi (flibanserin) and put you at risk for low blood pressure and fainting
- Eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice
- Liver damage
What are alternatives to Addyi (flibanserin)?
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