Dubbed the female Viagra pill, it is a medication sold under the brand name Addyi for the management of sexual dysfunction in pre-menopausal women. It was originally developed as an anti-depressant; however, it is now used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The medication was developed by the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim.
This company was taken over by a smaller and lesser-known company called Sprout in 2010 when their US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) application failed. Sprout pharmaceuticals submitted several more applications with new evidence from clinical trials and the medication was approved for use in 2015.
There had also been significant pressure from advocacy groups, most notably Even The Score, with their argument stating that many treatment options exist for male sexual dysfunction, while none exist for women. There are major differences in the mechanism of action and the dosage instructions however, which we will explain in more detail a little later.
Currently, there has not been an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for use in European countries, however it is possible to buy Flibanserin online from our website. flibanserin benefits women who suffer from sexual dysfunction.
This medication is primarily used for the treatment of HSDD, which is the most common sexual disorder in women. The symptom of low sexual desire is not enough to be diagnosed with HSDD; it must cause significant distress as well as interpersonal problems. There are different types of HSDD, including general, situational, lifelong, and acquired. General HSDD is a general lack of sexual desire, no matter the situation or the person. Situational however could be due to intimacy issues with a current partner rather than with every partner.
Lifelong HSDD means the issue has always been present, whereas acquired will have started at some point after healthy sexual relationships. There is no universal 'normal' level of sexual desire, and there have been many criticisms that diagnoses such as this, pathologise and medicalise levels of sexual arousal. Although it is not licensed for such, there is growing evidence to suggest that it is helpful for weight loss. In clinical trials researching the effects of the medication for HSDD, weight loss was observed in a significant number of participants compared to the placebo groups, despite this factor not being investigated.
It works in a completely different way to male sexual dysfunction medications. While male products such as Viagra and Cialis work by improving blood flow, this medication alters the chemistry in the brain. It was originally developed as an antidepressant, so it makes sense that it targets the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic neuropathways in the central nervous system. The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord, and the neurons, also called nerve cells, are responsible for transmitting electrical and chemical signals in order to relay information. In between each neuron is a tiny gap called a synapse and this is where most neuronal receptors are located.
what is flibanserin made of? It is an agonist for 5-HT1A serotonin receptors and an antagonist for 5-HT2A serotonin receptors. Although the medication binds to each type of receptor equally, there are factors which cause it to have a higher affinity for the 5-HT2A receptor such as the neurotransmitters produced due to stress or the effects it has on dopamine receptors.
This means that serotonin is down regulated and levels of dopamine and noradrenaline, which are neurotransmitters associated with motivation, happiness, and reward processing, are increased. The theory behind how this achieves increased sexual desire is based on the Kinsey dual control model of sexual response. Sexual response can be stimulated or inhibited by different types of hormones and neurotransmitters.
Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter while dopamine and noradrenaline are excitatory neurotransmitters in the context of sexual response. An imbalance of the regulation of these neurotransmitters can alter the levels of sexual response significantly, and it is thought to help balance the modulation of all three.
Evidence to support this exists when you compare this medication to other antidepressants which increase levels of serotonin, where reduced libido is a common side effect. In terms of weight loss, the mechanism of action remains unknown. Clinical trials have shown no statistically significant correlation between nausea (a common side effect) and weight loss; in fact, those without nausea lost more weight.
The FDA approved weight loss medication Lorcaserin is a 5-HT2C receptor agonist, and it was initially thought that it would cause weight gain as it is a minor 5-HT2C antagonist. As this is not the case, the evidence suggests that the weight loss properties of the medication are unlikely to be due to the serotonin related activity.
does flibanserin work immediately after taking it? This medication is not absorbed in a way that allows them start working immediately after taking them, as happens with their male counterparts. So, how long does it take for it to work? The positive effects can take several days or even weeks to start working.
Despite the slow build up, the amount of the active ingredients in your system will remain at consistent levels if you follow the advised dosage guidelines. With this level of consistency, with prolonged use, the effects will be long-term and as such, will not have a distinct duration of action but rather a constant state of balanced neurochemistry.
The medication has a bioavailability of 33% with a high protein binding value of 98%. The elimination half-life is 11 hours on average, which is the amount of time it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from the body. But as it targets neuronal pathways that have longevity in their properties, the effects will not wear off once the medication has been eliminated if you follow the dosage guidance properly, which we will explain in more detail now.
Flibanserin 100 mg is the usual dose for the treatment of HSDD, however this can be altered if necessary. Unlike male sexual dysfunction medication which should be taken around half an hour to an hour before you want to have sex, this medication needs to be taken before bed. Additionally, it is not a medication you can just take as and when you need it, but rather it should be taken every night. This is partly because it does not act immediately and partly because of the neuronal pathways it targets.
As serotonergic, dopaminergic, and adrenergic neuronal pathways are associated with emotions and psychological well-being, it is important that these pills are not stopped abruptly. Does flibanserin work over a long period of time? If you have been taking them for some time then you will need to gradually reduce your flibanserin dosage over several weeks because suddenly stopping will alter the levels of the neurotransmitters associated with each pathway, resulting in imbalance which will cause fluctuation in mood, depression, and/or anxiety.
Only one flibanserin dosage should be taken each night and tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water. If you forget to take your usual dose one night, you can take it if you remember only a few hours after your usual time, however you should never take 2 doses the following night to make up for the missed one as this can be dangerous.
Although taking medication every day is quite a commitment, it does allow for spontaneity in your sex life. Most people find this beneficial as planning when you are going to have sex removes some of the passion and it can feel forced and induce anxiety, which will negatively impact your libido.
Before you buy Flibanserin you should consider the potential adverse effects of the medication. Not everyone will experience side effects and for those that do they can range from mild to moderate, and rarely, severe, as we will explain in more detail now. Some of the more common side effects include:
The long-term side effects of the medication have not been extensively studied as it is a relatively new medication, therefore you should use it with caution. The above side effects are considered mild to moderate and most women who have participated in clinical trials stated that they are manageable and worth experiencing to get the benefits of the medication. Some women experience severe side effects when they drink alcohol while taking it.
Alcohol can interact with the medication causing blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels resulting in loss of consciousness. Unfortunately, this can occur after quite a small amount of alcohol, with one study finding that 17% of women taking the medication experienced this after 2 glasses of wine.
There have been relatively small numbers of clinical trials investigating safety, however it has been deemed safe enough for therapeutic use by the FDA. As we explained, this medication and alcohol do not mix and should be avoided, which is a factor that can deter some women from using the medication as it needs to be taken every day. If you are going to drink, you should have a maximum of 2 drinks and wait for at least 2 hours before taking the medication. If you have 3 drinks or more, you should skip your dose for that evening to avoid severe side effects.
Does flibanserin work with other medications? There are some interactions which should be considered. Medications which are contraindicated include benzodiazepines, opioids, and some antidepressants. Although there have been no human clinical trials studying the effects of the medication when used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, animal studies have found that it harmed the foetus and new-born mice when given during pregnancy and when lactating.
There are no alternatives currently available except for Bremelanotide. Both medications are used to treat HSDD in pre-menopausal women when the disorder is not caused by another underlying physical or mental health condition. There are pros and cons associated with each medication. Some advantages to Bremelanotide include not having to take it every day, and it does not interact adversely with alcohol. As only one dose can be taken per day, it does mean that you will have to plan when you are going to have sex and wait for around 30 minutes for flibanserin benefits to start working.
Bremelanotide side effects include sudden hypertension after taking the medication, which is administered via injection. Additionally, the medication targets melanocortin receptors which can cause hyperpigmentation due to increased production of melanin. This darkening of the skin mainly occurs on the face, gums, and breasts, and the discolouration may not resolve after you stop taking it, particularly if used more than 8 times per month.
Before you buy Flibanserin you should take some time to research the benefits and risks associated with using this medication to manage your disorder. Firstly, there is a lot of controversy about the disorder itself. Many people feel that a lack of sexual desire is unhealthy and shames women who are simply not as sexually active as others. There are also different opinions on what is considered 'normal', and the level of sexual desire varies across the globe.
Despite this, there are many women who want to increase their sexual desire for themselves, and actively want treatment options. If you are unsure about whether this is a good fit for you, you can read reviews on our site for anecdotal evidence, written by women who are in a similar situation.
So, does it work? More trials are needed to reach a definitive conclusion, but the studies so far seem promising. There is also the surprise benefit of weight loss, with one trial showing that women who took it lost more weight than those taking an FDA approved weight loss medication, where the trial included obese participants, a diet and exercise programme, and the knowledge of their end goal. It is not yet possible to buy Flibanserin over the counter, but alternative options are available.
You can buy Flibanserin tablets online from our pharmacy by visiting onlinekamagra.com.
Dr Smythe has been in the medical industry his whole adult life. As a child, he was a very quiet boy who enjoyed reading and climbing trees. As a young adult, he developed a passion for chemistry and his curiosity even had him creating his own fireworks.
Checked: 17th July 2024
Review Due: August 2025
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