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Flibanserin: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Flibanserin is FDA-approved for the following indication: Established / FDA-Approved Use Treatment of acquired, generalized Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women and more.

Forms:Tablet

About Flibanserin

Indications of Flibanserin

Flibanserin is FDA-approved for the following indication:

Established / FDA-Approved Use

  • Treatment of acquired, generalized Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women, characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty, and is not due to a co-existing medical or psychiatric condition, problems within the relationship, or the effects of a medication or other drug substance.

Important Scope Limitations

  • Flibanserin is not approved for use in men.
  • Flibanserin is not approved for use in postmenopausal women.
  • Flibanserin is not approved to enhance sexual performance in individuals who do not have HSDD.

There is no well-established guideline-supported or off-label indication for Flibanserin outside of acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women; it should not be prescribed for other forms of sexual dysfunction.

Dosage & Administration of Flibanserin

Adult Dose (Women with HSDD)

IndicationDoseTiming
Acquired, generalized HSDD in premenopausal women100 mg once dailyAt bedtime

Take Flibanserin at bedtime to reduce the impact of dizziness, sleepiness, and low blood pressure that can occur, since these effects are most pronounced within a few hours of dosing.

Pediatric Dose

Flibanserin is not indicated for use in children or adolescents; safety and efficacy in patients under 18 years have not been established (see Use in Special Populations).

Renal Impairment

No dose adjustment is required for mild renal impairment. Use with caution in moderate-to-severe renal impairment, as exposure to Flibanserin may be increased; clinical experience in this population is limited.

Hepatic Impairment

Flibanserin is contraindicated in patients with any degree of hepatic impairment (see Contraindications).

Missed Dose / Trial Duration

If a dose is missed, it should simply be skipped; a double dose should not be taken the next day. If there is no improvement in sexual desire and associated distress after 8 weeks of continuous use, Flibanserin should generally be discontinued, as continued use is unlikely to be beneficial.

Side Effects of Flibanserin

Common Side Effects

  • Dizziness
  • Somnolence (sleepiness/drowsiness)
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Dry mouth

Serious Side Effects

  • Severe hypotension and syncope - the subject of the boxed warning for Flibanserin; risk is markedly increased with alcohol, moderate/strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, or hepatic impairment (see Contraindications).
  • CNS depression (sedation, somnolence) that may impair the ability to perform activities requiring alertness, such as driving, particularly if Flibanserin is taken other than at bedtime or combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants.

Patients should seek prompt medical attention for fainting, severe dizziness, or loss of consciousness while taking Flibanserin.

Contraindications of Flibanserin

Flibanserin is contraindicated in the following situations:

  • Concomitant use of alcohol. Co-administration markedly increases the risk of severe hypotension and syncope; patients must avoid alcohol while taking Flibanserin and must stop Flibanserin at least 2 days before an anticipated occasion of alcohol use.
  • Hepatic impairment (any degree, including mild). Hepatic impairment substantially increases Flibanserin exposure and the risk of severe hypotension and syncope.
  • Concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, erythromycin, certain HIV protease inhibitors, diltiazem, verapamil, and grapefruit juice/grapefruit products), because these substantially raise Flibanserin blood levels and the risk of severe hypotension and syncope.
  • Known hypersensitivity to Flibanserin or any component of the formulation.

These are true absolute contraindications reflecting the boxed warning for Flibanserin; other cautions (e.g., renal impairment, use in the elderly) belong under Precautions and Warnings rather than here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Flibanserin

What is Flibanserin used for?

Flibanserin is used to treat acquired, generalized Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women - that is, a persistent, distressing loss of sexual desire that is not caused by another medical or psychiatric condition, relationship problem, or medication.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Flibanserin?

No. Alcohol is contraindicated with Flibanserin because combining the two markedly increases the risk of severe low blood pressure (hypotension) and fainting (syncope). You should avoid alcohol entirely while on therapy and stop Flibanserin at least 2 days before any anticipated alcohol use, as advised by your physician.

Why is Flibanserin taken at bedtime?

Flibanserin is taken once daily at bedtime because it commonly causes dizziness, sleepiness, and low blood pressure, and these effects are strongest within a few hours of dosing. Taking it at bedtime reduces the impact of these effects during your waking, active hours.

Can men or postmenopausal women use Flibanserin?

No. Flibanserin is approved only for premenopausal women with acquired, generalized HSDD. It has not been shown to be safe or effective in men or in postmenopausal women, and it should not be used to enhance sexual performance generally.

Who should not take Flibanserin?

Flibanserin should not be taken by anyone with any degree of liver (hepatic) impairment, anyone who drinks alcohol, anyone taking moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor medicines (such as certain antifungals, some antibiotics like clarithromycin or erythromycin, and certain HIV medicines), or anyone with a known hypersensitivity to Flibanserin, because each of these substantially raises the risk of severe hypotension and syncope.

What should I do if I think I have taken too much Flibanserin?

Seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency services / a poison control center. An overdose of Flibanserin can cause pronounced low blood pressure, fainting, drowsiness, and nausea, and should be managed by medical professionals rather than at home.

Disclaimer

The information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it does not replace professional medical advice. We cannot guarantee its completeness or accuracy, and the absence of specific information about a drug should not be taken as an endorsement. We are not responsible for any consequences arising from this information, so please consult a healthcare professional for any concerns or questions.

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