Drug that increases sex drive in women

Flibanserin (code name BIMT-17; proposed trade name Girosa) is a drug being studied as a non-hormonal treatment for pre-menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Development by Boehringer Ingelheim was halted in October 2010 following a negative report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The rights to the drug were then transferred to Sprout Pharmaceuticals which is continuing the drug development process.

Flibanserin is known as the "female Viagra," but there are some big differences. While Viagra is used on an as-needed basis, flibanserin is taken daily.

"It works on key chemicals in the brain to basically increase desire and decrease distress," Whitehead said. "So it has a positive effect on the positives, and a negative effect on the negatives."

Research into flibanserin has lasted 12 years, and more than 11,000 women have been involved in clinical trials.

Barbara Gattuso, who suffers from HSDD, is among those who have participated in clinical trials. While she enjoyed life in San Diego, she said she knew something was missing.

"I have a wonderful husband, marriage, but no desire for sex," Gattuso said. "You feel awful, worthless, like you're contributing to [the] possible breakup of marriage or [your] husband going elsewhere."

Just two weeks after she started taking flibanserin, Gattuso said she noticed significant changes.

"I had desire," she said. "I would wake up in the middle of the night and have desire -- I felt like I was 20 years old again."

She laughed, "What''s the cliché? Happy wife, happy husband."

While flibanserin has undergone 15 times as many clinical trials as the typical drug, the miracle pill for millions of women may still be a ways from going into full production.

Sprout submitted its application to the Food and Drug Administration in March 2013, but it was denied approval in September because the agency said it wanted more tests. The FDA's main concern is the side effects, which include dizziness, nausea, fatigue and sleepiness.

Source:http://www.wncn.com/story/26427970/...be-miracle-drug-for-women-with-low-sex-drives

Here is a drug that was studied to increase sex drive (libido) in men but was also discontinued due to similar side effects as the drug mentioned above:


Apomorphine hydrochloride (trade name "Uprima", "Ixense") was a therapy used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (male impotence). It is its mode of stimulating dopamine in the brain which is believed to enhance the sexual response. It was found to be of poor efficacy[SUP][9][/SUP] in a large-scale study by Researchers at the UK's Drug Safety Research Unit and University of Portsmouth and discontinued in the UK in January 2006.[SUP][9][/SUP] Around 65-70% of doctors felt it was ineffective, with 60% of over 11,000 patients (avg age 61) discontinuing in month 1 and a further 23% in month 2.[SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]UK studies concentrated on males with generalized erectile dysfunction. Uprima affects desire and is not meant to produce a systemic effect unlike drugs such as Viagra, which affect circulation. In those males who have problems with desire as opposed to generalized erectile dysfunction, it works as expected.

Erections in men are generally classified into two categories: Reflexogenic erections, that is erections triggered by physical stimulus of the penis, and Psychogenic erections, which are triggered by sexual fantasies, thoughts and looking at things which are sexually stimulating. Psychogenic erections are generally gradually lost in men somewhere between the ages of 45 and 65. Apomorphine has been shown to restore Psychogenic erections in men who are otherwise unable to achieve them.

Source: wikipedia

For more on the effect of testosterone replacement on sex drive in women, read:

The Use of Testosterone Replacement in Women - Is it Worth it and Safe?

There are also two other drugs currently being developed to improve libido in women.

"...both Lybrido and Lybridos contain two active chemicals, timed so that their effects converge. Each drug tampers with the interplay between serotonin and dopamine, giving dopamine, carrier of lust, a temporary edge.Both drugs have a peppermint-flavored testosterone coating that melts in the mouth. When the exterior is gone, the woman swallows a delayed-release inner tablet. In Lybrido, this inner pill is a close cousin of Viagra. The idea is that the Viagra-like molecule, by making extra blood flow to the genitals and adding to swelling and sensation, will work in conjunction with the testosterone. Together they will stir the mind to be more aware of erotic impulses; together they will help spark dopamine networks. Lybridos uses a compound called buspirone instead of the Viagra-like substance. Buspirone was originally used as an anti-anxiety medication, and if taken every day it can elevate serotonin in the brain. But as long as it's taken no more than every other day, it has a unique short-term effect: for a few hours, serotonin is suppressed."

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/m...y-be-a-pill-for-that.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0