Do you feel like your sex drive is decreasing? Let's talk about Flibanserin!

Do you sometimes feel like you don't feel like having the same close relationship with your husband or partner as you used to? Do you feel like you've lost interest in sex, and that it's becoming a problem for you? This is a condition that can affect many women, so don't be afraid to talk about it. Today we're going to talk about a medicine that can help with this kind of situation.

What kind of drug is Flibanserin?

Simply put, Flibanserin is a pill that is used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women who have not yet gone through menopause, meaning they have not yet stopped menstruating. The brand name for this is Addyi .

Now, look, this condition called HSDD isn't just a slight increase or decrease in sexual desire that everyone experiences. It's what happens:

• You've never had such a decrease in sexual desire before.
• No matter what type of sexual activity you engage in, where you are, or who your sexual partner is, your desire is low.
• This lack of desire is really causing you stress and sadness .
• The most important thing is that a doctor needs to make sure that this is not caused by another illness (e.g. diabetes, thyroid problems), a mental illness (e.g. depression), a problem in your relationship, another medication you are taking, or drug use.

Imagine, there is a person named Samantha. She is 35 years old. She has been married for 5 years. In the beginning, her relationship with her husband was very good. But now, for about 6 months, Samantha has no sexual interest. Even when her husband talks about it, she feels bad, but she can't think of what to do. This is a condition called HSDD.

That means this medicine...

• It is not given to menopausal women.
• Not even for men.
• It is not a drug that is given to improve sexual performance.

This medicine can also be used for other things, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the things I need to tell the doctor before taking this medicine?

Before you start taking Flibanserin, your doctor or nurse should be aware of these things. These are very important:

• Dehydration: If the amount of water in your body has decreased, you are dehydrated.
• Alcohol use: If you are a drinker, this is a very important consideration with this medication.
• Drug addiction: If you have previously been addicted to drugs or alcohol or if you currently have that problem.
• Heart disease: If you have heart disease.
• Mental health issues: If you have had or currently have mental health conditions such as depression.
• Liver disease: If you have any liver disease, this is also something to be very careful about.
• Low blood pressure: If you have low blood pressure.
• Allergies: If you have an allergy to flibanserin, other medications, foods, or dyes.
• Pregnant? Or trying to get pregnant?: If you are currently pregnant, expecting a baby, or planning to get pregnant soon.
• Are you a breastfeeding mother?: If you are a breastfeeding mother.

It is very important for your own safety to tell the doctor without hiding these things.

How do you use this medicine exactly?

Okay, now let's see how to take this medicine exactly.

• You should take this pill with water.
• Take the exact amount your doctor prescribed.
• You should only drink this at night before going to bed. Don't drink it during the day or in the morning.
• Do not take this medicine with grapefruit juice for any reason . Keep this in mind.
• Special attention to alcohol:
• If you have had one or two alcoholic drinks, you should wait at least two hours before taking this medication at night.
• If you have had three or more alcoholic drinks on a given day, do not take this medicine that night.
• After taking the medicine at night, do not drink alcohol again until the next day.

When you get your medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) . Be sure to read this leaflet carefully every time you get your medicine or get a refill. It contains very important information.

This medicine is not approved for use in children. Therefore, it is not suitable for children.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

This medicine is for you only! Do not give this to your friends or family, even if they have the same symptoms as you.

What if I miss my medication appointment?

If you miss a dose at night, skip it. Take the next dose at the usual time the next night. Never take a double dose the next morning or take a missed dose.

Interactions with this medicine

Flibanserin is a drug that can interact with other medications and foods, so you need to be aware of this as well.

Do not take Flibanserin with these medications:

• `berotralstat`
• Some antiviral medications for HIV or hepatitis
• Some medications for fungal infections, for example `fluconazole`, `ketoconazole`, `itraconazole`, `posaconazole`
• `ciprofloxacin`
• `clarithromycin`
• `conivaptan`
• `diltiazem`
• `erythromycin`
• Grapefruit juice - I've said this before, but I'll say it again.
• `nefazodone`
• `telithromycin`
• `verapamil`

Flibanserin can also interact with these things, so be careful:

• Alcohol - We've talked about this before, but it can cause a very dangerous reaction.
• Birth control pills
• `bupropion`
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep
• Medicines for conditions such as seizures, e.g. `carbamazepine`, `phenobarbital`, `phenytoin`
• Some medicines for stomach problems, e.g. `cimetidine`, `esomeprazole`, `omeprazole`, `pantoprazole`, `ranitidine`
• `digoxin`
• `diphenhydramine` (contains some medicines for chest congestion and cough)
• `etravirine`
• `fluoxetine` (a medicine for depression)
• `fluvoxamine`
• `ginkgo biloba` (ginkgo biloba - an herbal supplement)
• `lorcaserin`
• Narcotic medicines for pain
• `resveratrol`
• `rifabutin`, `rifampin`, `rifapentine`
• `sirolimus`
• `St. John's Wort` (St. John's Wort - an herbal supplement)

This list is not complete. Tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. These things can interact with Flibanserin.

What else should you be careful about when taking the medicine?

• Continue to see your doctor to see how you are doing. If your symptoms do not improve after taking the medicine for about 8 weeks, let your doctor know.
• You may feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that requires alertness for at least 6 hours after taking this medicine and until you know exactly how it affects you .
• Don't stand up or sit down too quickly. Standing up suddenly increases the risk of dizziness and falling.
• Another reminder about alcohol: Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness. There is also a very high risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taken with this medication. As mentioned earlier, if you have 1-2 alcoholic drinks, wait 2 hours before taking the medication. If you have 3 or more drinks, do not take the medication that night.

What side effects might I experience?

Like any medication, Flibanserin can cause some side effects.

If you notice these symptoms, tell your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue.
• Extreme drowsiness.
• Low blood pressure: This can make you feel dizzy, faint, lightheaded, faint, and unusually tired.

These side effects are usually not a big problem, but if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor :

• Dry mouth.
• Nausea.
• Tiredness.
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping).

This list may not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything unusual, consult your doctor.

How should you store your medicine?

• Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (about 25 degrees Celsius, 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Do not use expired medications, throw them away.

How do you dispose of unused, expired medicine?

It's not always appropriate to just throw medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet.

• Check to see if there is a "medicine take-back program." You can find out more about this from your pharmacy or the police.
• If that's not possible, check the medicine packet or the leaflet inside to see if it says whether to throw it in the trash or flush it down the toilet. If you're not sure, ask your doctor.
• If it says it's safe to throw in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix it with something like cat litter, soil, or coffee grounds. Put this mixture in a bag or container, seal it well, and throw it in the trash.

Finally, the most important things to remember

Flibanserin is a medication used to treat a specific condition called hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women. It doesn't work for everyone. It's especially dangerous to take this medication with alcohol. It's also important to tell your doctor about all the other medications you're taking and any medical conditions you have.

This article should give you a general idea of ​​what this medicine is. But it is not a complete description. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. They will be able to help you.

` Flibanserin, Addyi, decreased sexual desire, HSDD, women's health, medication, side effects, interactions with alcohol