flibanserin, sold under the trade name addyi, is a medication approved for the treatment of pre-menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (hsdd). the medication increases the number of satisfying sexual events per month by about one half over placebo from a starting point of about two to three.the certainty of the estimate is low.the side effects of dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea occur about three to four times more often.

flibanserin is a drug developed to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (hsdd) in women. women with hsdd have a chronic lack of interest in sex that cannot be explained by another medical condition. hsdd is also accompanied by feelings of distress.

sometimes, flibanserin is called the “female viagra,” but that term isn’t quite accurate. viagra is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and works by improving blood flow to the penis. in other words, it mainly works on the genitals. flibanserin is different because it works on a woman’s brain.

the brain is often considered a woman’s more important sexual organ. much of her sexual response cycle originates in her brain.

flibanserin is used for hypoactive sexual desire disorder among women. those receiving flibanserin report a 0.5 increase compared to placebo in the number of times they had “satisfying sexual events”. in those on flibanserin it rose from 2.8 to 4.5 times a month while women receiving placebo reported also an increase of “satisfying sexual events” from 2.7 to 3.7 times a month.the onset of the flibanserin effect was seen from the first timepoint measured after 4 weeks of treatment and maintained throughout the treatment period.

flibanserin works on three important brain chemicals: dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. these chemicals are neurotransmitters. they are responsible for sending signals between the brain and other parts of the body through the nervous system.

dopamine and norepinephrine are involved with sexual excitement. however, serotonin contributes to sexual inhibition and may dampen sex drive. it is thought that if these chemicals are out of balance – if dopamine and norepinephrine levels are too low and/or serotonin levels are too high – a woman might feel less sexual desire.

flibanserin works by raising levels of dopamine and norepinephrine while lowering levels of serotonin. in this way, chemicals that help promote sexual desire are increased and one that can suppress desire is decreased.

flibanserin is a pill to be taken once a day at bedtime.