Uses of Flibanserin
Flibanserin is used to treat women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD; a low sexual desire that causes distress or interpersonal difficulty) who have not experienced menopause (change of life; the end of monthly menstrual periods). Flibanserin should not be used for the treatment of HSDD in women who have gone through menopause or in men or to improve sexual performance. Flibanserin is in a class of medications called a serotonin receptor 1A agonist/serotonin receptor 2A antagonist. It works by changing the activity of serotonin and other natural substances in the brain.
Side Effects of Flibanserin
Flibanserin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- tiredness
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- dry mouth
- constipation
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING and SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS sections, call your doctor immediately:
- excessive sleepiness
Flibanserin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking flibanserin:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to flibanserin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in flibanserin tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take with flibanserin. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the following: antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); antifungals; cimetidine (Tagamet); digoxin (Lanoxin); diphenhydramine (Benadryl); medications for anxiety or mental illness; medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol, Teril, others), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); opiate (narcotic) medications for pain control; oral contraceptives; proton pump inhibitors including dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium, Vimovo), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex); ranitidine (Zantac); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); sedatives; sirolimus (Rapamune); sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects while taking flibanserin.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially ginkgo, resveratrol, and St. John’s wort.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking flibanserin, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while taking flibanserin.
- you should know that flibanserin may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until at least 6 hours after your dose of flibanserin and until you know how this medication affects you.
Dosage
Flibanserin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily at bedtime. Take flibanserin at bedtime every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take flibanserin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If your symptoms do not improve after 8 weeks of treatment, call your doctor.
Other
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
