Local Doctor Weighs In On "Little Pink Pill," Calls It "Disappointing," "Not Very Effective"
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) -- The FDA has today given the OK to the first drug to boost sexual desire in women. It's being called the "female Viagra," but one local doctor says it's not something all women should be excited about.
Some call it the little pink pill, comparing it to, you know, the little blue pill for men. The new drug is meant to treat low-libido in pre-menopausal women, like 34-year-old Sheri Mike.
"It's kind of like eating your favorite food and not having any taste buds. You can't taste it. And you can eat it, but it's not enjoyable, there's just no satisfaction to it," said Mike.
Flibanserin is for women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Unlike Viagra, that produces a physical response upon taking a pill, this works in the brain. Also, unlike its male counterpart, it's taken daily.
"It will take a while to determine who those women are who will best benefit from this medication, and there's no evidence to support that it's most women," says Dr. Beth Prairie, with West Penn of the Allegheny Health Network.
Initially tested as an anti-depressant, Dr. Prairie says in three studies as a potential libido enhancing pill, it didn't do much better than the placebo.
"It's not very effective. It's actually really disappointing. For everyone who was looking for a magic pill, this isn't it," says Dr. Prairie.
Some of the side effects, like dizziness and sleepiness, are less than desirable, and are part of the reason the drug failed to get FDA approval twice in the past. There is also concern from some critics about it potentially being too widely prescribed, possibly exposing women to more of the side effects.
"Those side effects are worse in the presence of alcohol at all, a glass of wine or two at dinner, and with any medications, like any pain medications," says Dr. Prairie.
But the pill has garnered a lot of attention because there's nothing else like it on the market. Dr. Prairie says at the very least, this gets people talking.
"This has brought a conversation to the forefront nationally that women's sexual function is important and anyone who wants a happy sex life deserves a happy sex life," she says.
The pharmaceutical company behind the drug says it has agreed to not produce any radio or television advertising on Flibansiren for 18 months following approval.
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