title: Flibanserin and its discontents.
abstract: In August 2015, flibanserin (brand name Addyi) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. This article summarizes and promotes discussion regarding the numerous controversies that have enclosed flibanserin since the very beginning. This includes questions related to flibanserin's safety and efficacy and the validity of the clinical trials. Also included are philosophical considerations surrounding the diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder and pharmacological treatment of low libido. Based on the review of literature, authors judge flibanserin to be modestly effective and reasonably safe, and discuss the differences in philosophical perspectives with less definitive answers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 10524 Euclid Avenue, 8th Floor, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. awaisaftab@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Awais
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aftab
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 10524 Euclid Avenue, 8th Floor, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence in Public Service Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McBride
mesh_terms: D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D017697:Premenopause; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D001562:Benzimidazoles; C098107:flibanserin
keywords: Ethics; Female sexuality; Flibanserin; Hypoactive sexual desire disorder; Women’s mental health