Flibanserin

Key points

• Its US label covers women under 65 with acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder: low desire that causes marked distress or difficulty in a relationship.
• It is not indicated in men or to enhance sexual performance.
• Boxed warning: alcohol close to a dose raises the risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting.

What is flibanserin?

Flibanserin acts on serotonin and dopamine signalling in the brain. That makes it different from the erectile dysfunction medicines on this site, such as sildenafil, which work on blood flow. It is taken every day, and any effect builds over several weeks.

Safety overview for flibanserin

• Alcohol. The label advises waiting at least two hours after one or two standard drinks before the bedtime dose, and skipping the dose after three or more.
• Other medicines. Moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (some antifungals, antibiotics and HIV medicines, and grapefruit juice) raise flibanserin levels and must not be combined with it.
• Liver. It is not used in people with liver impairment.

Tell a doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take before you start.

What the sources say

• Flibanserin is indicated for women less than 65 years of age with acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder. (DailyMed)
• Using flibanserin and alcohol close together in time increases the risk of severe hypotension and syncope (boxed warning). (DailyMed)
• It is not indicated to enhance sexual performance and is not indicated in men. (DailyMed)

Further reading

• Flibanserin: MedlinePlus Drug Information
• Flibanserin - StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf)
• Loss of female libido - healthdirect