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Overview: Addyi is used in certain women to treat low sex drive (hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD). It seems to work by balancing chemicals in the brain, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Common side effects include nausea, sleepiness, and dizziness. Serious side effects are rare, but can include low blood pressure and fainting. It is important to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take before and while taking Addyi.

Uses

What is Addyi used for?

Addyi (flibanserin) is commonly used to treat low sex drive (hypoactive sexual desire disorder or HSDD) in premenopausal women who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past and have low sexual desire no matter the type of sexual activity or partner. It is not for people whose low sex drive is caused by medical or mental health problems, relationship problems, or medicines or drug use.

Addyi may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Addyi work (mechanism of action)?

Addyi seems to work by balancing brain chemicals that affect sex drive, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

How is Addyi supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Addyi

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg oral tablets

How should I store Addyi?

Addyi should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Addyi?

The most common side effects of Addyi are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness or tiredness
  • Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Dry mouth

There may be other side effects of Addyi that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Addyi?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Addyi are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Addyi may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Addyi and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression. Addyi may slow down your central nervous system (CNS), which controls many vital functions throughout the body. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of CNS depression.

  • Confusion
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
  • Memory problems
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Slowed response or reaction time
  • Slurred speech

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Addyi can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination for at least six hours after taking Addyi and until you know how Addyi affects you.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) and Fainting. Addyi may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. The risk of low blood pressure or fainting can be increased if you drink alcohol or take certain medicines with Addyi. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure. 

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Blurred vision
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Addyi?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Addyi.

  • Flibanserin
  • Addyi
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Addyi.

Drug Interactions. Addyi should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Addyi, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Liver Problems. Addyi should not be taken if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

What should I know about Addyi before using it?

Do not take Addyi unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Addyi with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Addyi out of the reach of children.

You should take Addyi at bedtime. This may decrease your risk for fainting, because you will be lying down already. 

If you have been taking Addyi for eight weeks or more and it is not improving your symptoms, tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may advise you to stop taking it. 

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Addyi?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Addyi is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Drink alcohol or use drugs, including a history of drug or alcohol misuse
  • Low blood pressure
  • Current or history of mental health problems, including depression

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Addyi could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Addyi passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Addyi.

How can I get more information about Addyi?

For more information about Addyi, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.addyi.com or call them at 844-PINK-PILL (844-746-5745).

Interactions

Does Addyi interact with foods or drinks?

You should not eat or drink anything with grapefruit or grapefruit juice in it while taking Addyi. Grapefruit can increase blood levels of Addyi in your body and increase your risk of low blood pressure and fainting.

It is best to avoid alcohol with Addyi. Alcohol can increase your risk of low blood pressure and fainting with Addyi. You should wait at least two hours after drinking two or fewer standard alcoholic drinks before taking Addyi at bedtime. If you have had three or more drinks with alcohol in them, you should skip your dose of Addyi that evening. Once you have taken Addyi in the evening, you should not drink any alcohol until at least the next day. 

Does Addyi interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Addyi.

  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Clarithromycin, erythromycin, or ciprofloxacin, which is an antibiotic used for bacterial infections
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure and other conditions
  • Any medicine for seizures, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, or phenobarbital
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • A medicine for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis C
  • Cimetidine, ranitidine, or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (Aciphex)
  • Rifampin (Rifadin) or rifapentine (Priftin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Rifabutin (Mycobutin), which is a medicine used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex infection
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • A birth control pill
  • Nefazodone, which is used to treat depression
  • Conivaptan (Vaprisol), which is used to treat low blood sodium levels
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Ginkgo, which is a supplement used for memory and blood flow
  • Resveratrol, which is a supplement used for weight loss and allergies
  • Sirolimus (Rapamune), which is commonly used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ
  • A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Addyi, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Addyi. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Addyi?

If you or someone else has used too much Addyi, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Addyi?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at bedtime the next day. Do not take double or extra doses.

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