Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Addyi |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 33% [3] |
Protein binding | ~98% |
Metabolism | Extensive by liver (mainly by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19) |
Elimination half-life | ~11 hours |
Excretion | Bile duct (51%), kidney (44%) |
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.170.970 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C20H21F3N4O |
Molar mass | 390.410 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Flibanserin, sold under the brand name Addyi, is a medication approved for the treatment of pre-menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). [4] [5] The medication improves sexual desire, increases the number of satisfying sexual events, and decreases the distress associated with low sexual desire. [6] The most common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and dry mouth. [6]
Development by Boehringer Ingelheim was halted in October 2010, following a negative evaluation by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [7] The rights to the drug were then transferred to Sprout Pharmaceuticals, which achieved approval of the drug by the US FDA in August 2015. [8]
Addyi is approved for medical use in the US for premenopausal women with HSDD and in Canada for premenopausal and postmenopausal women with HSDD. [6] [9]
HSDD was recognized as a distinct sexual function disorder for more than 30 years, but was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013, and replaced with a new diagnosis called female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD). [10] [11]
Flibanserin is used for hypoactive sexual desire disorder among women. The onset of the flibanserin effect was seen from the first timepoint measured after 4 weeks of treatment and maintained throughout the treatment period. [12] [3]
The effectiveness of flibanserin was evaluated in three phase 3 clinical trials. Each of the three trials had two co-primary endpoints, one for satisfying sexual events (SSEs) and the other for sexual desire. Each of the 3 trials also had a secondary endpoint that measured distress related to sexual desire. All three trials showed that flibanserin produced an increase in the number of SSEs and reduced distress related to sexual desire. The first two trials used an electronic diary to measure sexual desire, and did not find an increase. These two trials also measured sexual desire using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) as a secondary endpoint, and an increase was observed using this latter measure. The FSFI was used as the co-primary endpoint for sexual desire in the third trial, and again showed a statistically significant increase. [3]
Supportive analyses based on the patient's perspective of her symptoms at the end of the study showed that improvements in symptoms of HSDD were not only statistically significant but also clinically meaningful to women. [13]
The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate in severity. The most commonly reported adverse events included dizziness, nausea, feeling tired, sleepiness, and trouble sleeping. [6]
Drinking alcohol while on flibanserin may increase the risk of severe low blood pressure. The Addyi Prescribing Information was updated in 2019 following the FDA's review of three postmarketing alcohol interaction studies which led to increased understanding of this drug interaction. This new data led to a removal of the contraindication with alcohol and new recommendations on how to safely consume alcohol while receiving Addyi therapy.
Current recommendations are to wait at least two hours after consuming one or two standard alcoholic drinks before taking ADDYI at bedtime or to skip their ADDYI dose if they have consumed three or more standard alcoholic drinks that evening. [6]
Flibanserin acts as a full agonist in the frontal cortex and the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus, but only as a partial agonist in the CA3 region of the hippocampus [14] of the 5-HT1A receptor (serotonin receptor) (Ki = 1 nM in CHO cells, but only 15–50 nM in cortex, hippocampus and dorsal raphe) [4] and, with lower affinity, as an antagonist of the 5-HT2A receptor (Ki = 49 nM) and antagonist or very weak partial agonist of the D4 receptor (Ki = 4–24 nM, [15] Ki = 8–650 nM [16] ). [17] [18] [19] Despite the much greater affinity of flibanserin for the 5-HT1A receptor, and for reasons that are unknown (although it might be caused by the competition with endogenous serotonin), flibanserin occupies the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors in vivo with similar percentages. [4] [20] Flibanserin also has low affinity for the 5-HT2B receptor (Ki = 89.3 nM) and the 5-HT2C receptor (Ki = 88.3 nM), both of which it behaves as an antagonist of. [19] Flibanserin preferentially activates 5-HT1A receptors in the prefrontal cortex, demonstrating regional selectivity, and has been found to increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels and decrease serotonin levels in the rat prefrontal cortex, actions that were determined to be mediated by activation of the 5-HT1A receptor. [17] As such, flibanserin has been described as a norepinephrine–dopamine disinhibitor (NDDI). [19] [21]
The proposed mechanism of action refers to the Kinsey dual control model of sexual response. [22] Various neurotransmitters, sex steroids, and other hormones have important excitatory or inhibitory effects on the sexual response. Among neurotransmitters, excitatory activity is driven by dopamine and norepinephrine, while inhibitory activity is driven by serotonin. The balance between these systems is of significance for a normal sexual response. By modulating serotonin and dopamine activity in certain parts of the brain, flibanserin may improve the balance between these neurotransmitter systems in the regulation of sexual response. [23] [24]
Flibanserin was originally developed as an antidepressant, [25] [17] but was found to have pro-sexual effects and was later repurposed for the treatment of HSDD.
The brand name is Addyi.
In June 2010, a federal advisory panel to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unanimously voted against recommending approval of flibanserin, citing an inadequate risk-benefit ratio. The Committee acknowledged the validity of hypoactive sexual desire as a diagnosis, but expressed concern with the drug's side effects and insufficient evidence for efficacy, especially the drug's failure to show a statistically significant effect on the co-primary endpoint of sexual desire. [26] Earlier in the week, a FDA staff report also recommended non-approval of the drug. Ahead of the votes, Boehringer Ingelheim had mounted a publicity campaign to promote the controversial disorder of "hypoactive sexual desire". [27] In 2010 the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter, stating that the New Drug Application could not be approved in its current form. The letter cited several concerns, including the failure to demonstrate a statistical effect on the co-primary endpoint of sexual desire and overly restrictive entry criteria for the two Phase 3 trials. The Agency recommended performing a new Phase 3 trial with less restrictive entry criteria. [28] On 8 October 2010, Boehringer announced that it would discontinue its development of flibanserin in light of the FDA's decision. [29]
Sprout responded to the FDA's cited deficiencies and refiled the NDA in 2013. The submission included data from a new Phase 3 trial and several Phase 1 drug-drug interaction studies. [28] [30] The FDA again refused the application, citing an uncertain risk/benefit ratio. In December 2013, a Formal Dispute Resolution was filed, [31] which contained the requirements of the FDA for further studies. These include two studies in healthy subjects to determine if flibanserin impairs their ability to drive, and to determine if it interferes with other biochemical pathways. The Agency agreed to call a new Advisory Committee meeting to consider whether the risk-benefit ratio of flibanserin was favorable after this additional data was obtained. [31] [32] [33] Sprout expected to resubmit the New Drug Application (NDA) in the 3rd quarter of 2014. [31] [32]
In June 2015, the US FDA Advisory Committee, which includes the Bone, Reproductive, and Urologic Drugs Advisory Committee (BRUDAC) and the Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committee (DSRM), recommended approval of the drug by 18–6, with the proviso that measures be taken to inform women of the drug's side effects. [34] [35] On 18 August 2015, the FDA approved Addyi (Flibanserin) for the treatment of premenopausal women with low sexual desire that causes personal distress or relationship difficulties. The approval specified that flibanserin should not be used to treat low sexual desire caused by co-existing psychiatric or medical problems; low sexual desire caused by problems in the relationship; or low sexual desire due to medication side effects. [3]
As of 21 August 2015, The Pharmaceutical Journal reported that Sprout Pharmaceuticals had not yet made an application to the European Medicines Agency for a marketing authorisation. [36]
Even the Score, a coalition of women's groups brought together by a Sprout consultant, actively campaigned for the approval of flibanserin. The campaign emphasized that several approved treatments for male sexual dysfunction exist, while no such treatment for women was available. [37] The group successfully obtained letters of support from the President of the National Organization for Women, the editor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, and several members of Congress. [38]
Other organizations supporting the approval of flibanserin included the National Council of Women's Organizations, the Black Women's Health Imperative, the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, National Consumers League, and the American Sexual Health Association. [39] [40] [41] [42]
The approval was opposed by the National Women's Health Network, the National Center for Health Research and Our Bodies Ourselves. [43] A representative of PharmedOut said "To approve this drug will set the worst kind of precedent — that companies that spend enough money can force the FDA to approve useless or dangerous drugs." [44] An editorial in JAMA noted that, "Although flibanserin is not the first product to be supported by a consumer advocacy group in turn supported by pharmaceutical manufacturers, claims of gender bias regarding the FDA's regulation have been particularly noteworthy, as have the extent of advocacy efforts ranging from social media campaigns to letters from members of Congress". [45]
The Even the Score campaign was managed by Blue Engine Message & Media, a public relations firm, and received funding from Sprout. [46]
In August 2015, Valeant Pharmaceuticals and Sprout Pharmaceuticals announced that Valeant will acquire Sprout, on a debt-free basis, for approximately $1 billion in cash, plus a share of future profits based upon the achievement of certain milestones. [47]
The initial response since the 2015 introduction of flibanserin to the U.S. market was slow with 227 prescriptions written during the first three weeks. [48] The slow response may be related to a number of factors: physicians require about 10 minutes of online training to get certified; the medication has to be taken daily and costs about US$400 per month; [49] and questions about the drug's efficacy and need. [48] Prescriptions for the drug continue to be few with less than 4,000 being made as of February 2016. [50]
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), hyposexuality, or inhibited sexual desire (ISD) is sometimes considered a sexual dysfunction, and is characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, as judged by a clinician. For this to be regarded as a disorder, it must cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulties and not be better accounted for by another mental disorder, a drug, or some other medical condition. A person with ISD will not start, or respond to their partner's desire for, sexual activity. HSDD affects approximately 10% of all pre-menopausal women in the United States, or about 6 million women, 1.5% of men and an unstudied amount of gender non-conforming people.
Sexual dysfunction is difficulty experienced by an individual or partners during any stage of normal sexual activity, including physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal, or orgasm. The World Health Organization defines sexual dysfunction as a "person's inability to participate in a sexual relationship as they would wish". This definition is broad and is subject to many interpretations. A diagnosis of sexual dysfunction under the DSM-5 requires a person to feel extreme distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of six months. Sexual dysfunction can have a profound impact on an individual's perceived quality of sexual life. The term sexual disorder may not only refer to physical sexual dysfunction, but to paraphilias as well; this is sometimes termed disorder of sexual preference.
Bremelanotide, sold under the brand name Vyleesi, is a medication used to treat low sexual desire in women. Specifically it is used for low sexual desire which occurs before menopause and is not due to medical problems, psychiatric problems, or problems within the relationship. It is given by an injection just under the skin of the thigh or abdomen.
Buspirone, sold under the brand name Buspar, among others, is an anxiolytic, a medication primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, particularly generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist, increasing action at serotonin receptors in the brain. It is taken orally, and takes two to six weeks to be fully effective.
Sexual medicine or psychosexual medicine as defined by Masters and Johnsons in their classic Textbook of Sexual Medicine, is "that branch of medicine that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sexual disorders, which have a high prevalence rate." Examples of disorders treated with sexual medicine are erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and prostate cancer. Sexual medicine often uses a multidisciplinary approach involving physicians, mental health professionals, social workers, and sex therapists. Sexual medicine physicians often approach treatment with medicine and surgery, while sex therapists often focus on behavioral treatments.
Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a disorder characterized by a persistent or recurrent inability to attain sexual arousal or to maintain arousal until the completion of a sexual activity. The diagnosis can also refer to an inadequate lubrication-swelling response normally present during arousal and sexual activity. The condition should be distinguished from a general loss of interest in sexual activity and from other sexual dysfunctions, such as the orgasmic disorder (anorgasmia) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which is characterized as a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity for some period of time.
Sex and drugs refers to the influence of substances on sexual function and experience. Sex and drugs date back to ancient humans and have been interlocked throughout human history. Sexual performance is known as the execution of the act of sex and the quality of sexual activity. This includes elements such as libido, sexual function, sensation. Drugs are termed as any chemical substance that produces a physiological and or psychological change in an organism. Drugs categorized as psychoactive drugs, antihypertensive drugs, antihistamines, cancer treatment, and hormone medication have a significant impact on sexual performance. Various drugs result in different effects, both positive and negative. Negative effects may include low libido, erection issues, vaginal dryness and anorgasmia. Positive effects usually address these issues, overall enhancing sexual performance and contributing to a more enjoyable sexual experience. It is crucial to know that the impact of drugs on sexual performance varies among individuals, especially among different genders.
Gepirone, sold under the brand name Exxua, is a medication used for the treatment of major depressive disorder. It is taken orally.
Vilazodone, sold under the brand name Viibryd among others, is a medication used to treat major depressive disorder. It is classified as a serotonin modulator and stimulator and is taken by mouth.
Befiradol is an experimental drug being studied for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia. It is a potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist.
A norepinephrine and dopamine disinhibitor is a drug that acts at specific sites to disinhibit downstream norepinephrine and dopamine release in the brain.
Vortioxetine, sold under the brand name Trintellix and Brintellix among others, is an antidepressant of the serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS) class. Its effectiveness is viewed as similar to that of other antidepressants. It is taken orally.
F-15,599, also known as NLX-101, is a potent and selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist. In addition, it displays functional selectivity, or biased agonism, by preferentially activating postsynaptic serotonin 5-HT1A receptors over somatodendritic serotonin 5-HT1A autoreceptors. The drug has been investigated for potential use as a pharmaceutical drug in the treatment of conditions including depression, schizophrenia, cognitive disorders, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome.
Brexpiprazole, sold under the brand name Rexulti among others, is an atypical antipsychotic medication used for the treatment of major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.
A serotonin modulator and stimulator (SMS), sometimes referred to more simply as a serotonin modulator, is a type of drug with a multimodal action specific to the serotonin neurotransmitter system. To be precise, SMSs simultaneously modulate one or more serotonin receptors and inhibit the reuptake of serotonin. The term was created to describe the mechanism of action of the serotonergic antidepressant vortioxetine, which acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), agonist of the 5-HT1A receptor, and antagonist of the 5-HT3 and 5-HT7 receptors. However, it can also technically be applied to vilazodone, which is an antidepressant as well and acts as an SRI and 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist.
Brilaroxazine, also known as oxaripiprazole, is an investigational atypical antipsychotic which is under development by Reviva Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and inflammatory disorders. It has currently completed the first of two phase III clinical trials for schizophrenia. Reviva Pharmaceuticals also intends to investigate brilaroxazine for the treatment of bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), irritability in autism, tics, psychosis/agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease psychosis, as well as the inflammatory disorders pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and psoriasis. The FDA granted brilaroxazine orphan drug designation for the treatment of PAH and IPF.
Buspirone/testosterone (tentative brand name Lybridos) is a combination of buspirone, a 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist, α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, and D2 autoreceptor antagonist, and testosterone, an androgen or androgen receptor agonist, which is under development by the pharmaceutical company Emotional Brain for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction. Both buspirone and testosterone have individually been found to be effective in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction in clinical studies, and so their combination could be anticipated to be even more effective. As of January 2016, the combination is in phase II clinical trials, with a phase III trial being planned in the United States and Europe.
Cindy Eckert is an American entrepreneur known for founding Sprout Pharmaceuticals. She subsequently founded The Pink Ceiling which invests in companies founded by, or delivering products for, women. In November 2017, Eckert re-acquired Sprout Pharmaceuticals as part of a lawsuit settlement, and the rights to its drug Addyi, from Valeant after Valeant's stock collapsed due to insider trading and price jacking allegations.
Drugs and sexual desire is about sexual desire being manipulated through drugs from various approaches. Sexual desire is generated under the effects from sex hormones and microcircuits from brain regions. Neurotransmitters play essential roles in stimulating and inhibiting the processes that lead to libido production in both men and women. For instance, a positive stimulation is modulated by dopamine from the medial preoptic area in the hypothalamus and norepinephrine. At the same time, inhibition occurs when prolactin and serotonin are released for action.
FKW00GA, also known as TGW00AA, is a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist and serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist which is under development for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and sexual dysfunction. It is taken by mouth.
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