'Female viagra' rocks: Finally, women get their own little blue pill

Is the female Viagra finally making its way to the market?

An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted 18-6 last week to recommend flibanserin for approval. But this 'pink pill' is not at all like the famous 'blue pill' Viagra, which works by increasing blood flow to the sex organs. Flibanserin, which will be marketed under the name Addyi, works directly on the chemicals of the brain, increasing dopamine and norepinephrine.

The FDA has twice rejected the drug since 2010, amid protests from critics that women's drugs don't receive the same attention as men's. But flibanserin does have significant side effects. Some doctors are concerned about the risk of dizziness, low pressure and even blackouts, especially when combined with alcohol and for women taking birth control pills.

One member of the advisory panel, Kathryn Curtis, expressed her concerns in an interview saying, " … it seems there are a lot of situations in addition to alcohol that are going to increase the drug and possibly lead to adverse effects."

But women's groups have long been on the lookout for a drug to treat low libido. A survey of women with low libido revealed one additional sexually satisfying experience a month for those taking flibanserin. Supporters of the drug, myself included, feel that even this modest effect make the drug worth trying and potential side effects can be carefully monitored by physicians. In other words, give me the option to prescribe this drug and let me and my patients decide when and if it is appropriate to do so.

Another member of the FDA panel, Dr. Walid Gellad, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, was supportive of flibanserin for just these reasons. He said, " ... there are many women that suffer and there are many women for whom the drug will work and there are many women for whom the drug will not work. The benefits are modest … maybe less than modest, but I think that puts it in good company with other approved drugs."

Sprout Pharmaceuticals, led by women, has made its purpose "the pursuit of this much needed scientific and societal breakthrough for women."

There has never been a drug before to directly target libido. Flibanserin is the first, and its long term side effects are not yet known. On the other hand, there are already many drugs on the market which target the chemicals of the brain and increase these same brain hormones.

The FDA generally accepts the recommendations of its panels, so you can expect this drug to be approved.

Since as everyone knows, the brain is the number one sex organ, it is high time for this pioneer drug to appear on the shelves and in the medicine cabinet.

Marc Siegel, M.D is a professor of medicine and medical director of Doctor Radio at NYU Langone Medicine Center. He is a member of the Board of Contributors at USA TODAY.

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