The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a libido-enhancing drug for women dubbed the ‘female Viagra’.
Flibanserin, marketed as Addyi is designed to help women regain their sex drive by boosting levels of brain chemicals.
Earlier it was rejected by the FDA twice for lack of effectiveness and side effects like nausea, dizziness and fainting. The drug will reportedly be made available through certified health care professionals and pharmacies from October.
The FDA insisted that the drug’s purpose was the “treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)”. HSDD is a chronic or ongoing lack of interest in sex to the point that it causes a woman relationship problems and distress.
According to Dr Janet Woodcock, the Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, “Today’s approval provides women distressed by their low sexual desire with an approved treatment option.”