Women who have lost their sex drive will have a little pink pill
to help them come October. On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
approved flibanserin, which will be sold as Addyi, for the treatment of sexual
dysfunction in premenopausal women.
This is the
first FDA approved treatment for sexual desire in men or women.
"Today's approval provides women distressed by their low
sexual desire with an approved treatment option," Dr. Janet Woodcock,
director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a
statement announcing the approval. "The FDA strives to protect and advance
the health of women, and we are committed to supporting the development of safe
and effective treatments for female sexual dysfunction."
The approval is
not without warnings. In fact, the agency approved the drug with a risk
evaluation and mitigation strategy, or REMS, to ensure safety. Of greatest
concern, an increased risk of severe low blood pressure, so low it can cause a
temporary loss of consciousness. This is more of a concern in patients who
drink alcohol while taking the drug. As required by REMS, health care providers
who prescribe the medication and pharmacies that dispense it are required to
first complete a training program to become certified. They will be required to
warn patients of the risks of consuming alcohol while taking Addyi and the
importance of not doing so.
In addition, the
agency is requiring a "boxed warning" to notify patients who drink
alcohol, have liver problems or those who take medications called CYP3A4
inhibitors (which interfere with the breakdown of the medication in the body)
not to take Addyi.
A 2002 study
found that up to one-third of adult women might experience hypoactive sexual
desire disorder, a technical term for when women lack sexual desire or fantasy.
Some experts say
that for women, the cure for low libido is more likely to be found in their
brains than in a bottle.
"Women's
sexuality is very complicated. It's not a matter of just taking that pill, by
the way, and then all of a sudden the lights go on," said Judy Kuriansky,
a clinical psychologist and certified sex therapist. "You have to feel
good about your body. You have to feel good about yourself. You have to feel
the guy really loves you. ... It's complex. It's not the same as a man taking a
pill."
Addyi is
frequently referred to as "female Viagra" because it's a pill for
sexual dysfunction in women. However, experts say it's a misnomer to describe
it as such because it works in a distinctly different way to target the brain.
Viagra treats
erectile dysfunction, a physical problem, and does not induce sexual desire.
Addyi works on the central nervous system, which is why it's in the same
category as an antidepressant.
Another difference
is that men take Viagra as needed before a sexual encounter, and women take
Addyi once every night. Taking it at night will reduce the likelihood of
adverse reactions from low blood pressure and sleepiness or depression from a
depressed central nervous system.
Other common
side effects include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia and dry mouth.
In clinical
trials, women taking the drug experienced a 37% increase in sexual desire,
according to Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which makes the drug.
"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. 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," said Dr. Holly Thacker,
an obstetrician gynecologist at The Cleveland Clinic.
There's no doubt
that sex drugs for men have been a boon for the pharmaceutical industry. The
FDA approved Viagra in 1998. Last year, the drug earned more than $1.6 billion
for Pfizer. But drug companies have struggled to come up with the right formula
for women.
Addyi will cost
about the same per month as a one month supply of Viagra for men, Sprout said
on Tuesday.
In June, an
advisory committee recommended the drug for approval after two previous failed attempts to do
so that cited concerns about side effects.
"It has
been a remarkable journey to get to this breakthrough moment. Today we
celebrate what this approval means for all women who have long awaited a
medical treatment option for this life impacting condition," Cindy
Whitehead, chief executive officer of Sprout, said in a company statement after
the approval was announced.
No comments:
Post a Comment