What it is used for
- Treating acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women who meet the diagnostic criteria
- Improving desire and reducing related distress when a clinician decides the expected benefit outweighs the risks
How it is used
- Take it only as prescribed and at bedtime to reduce sleepiness, low blood pressure and fainting risk
- Swallow the tablet with water and do not take a daytime dose to replace one you missed
- Follow the clinician's instructions exactly about separating alcohol and the medicine; you may be told to skip a dose depending on alcohol amount and timing
- Avoid driving or alertness-dependent work until the leaflet's stated interval has passed and you know its effect on you
- The clinician will assess response and stop it if there is no clear benefit; do not stop or restart it yourself
Possible side effects
- Dizziness, sleepiness or tiredness
- Nausea or dry mouth
- Insomnia or anxiety
- Low blood pressure, near-fainting or fainting
- Rarely, severe allergy with swelling of the face or mouth
Who should not use it
- Any degree of liver impairment
- Use with a moderate or strong inhibitor of the liver enzyme that clears it
- Allergy to flibanserin or any ingredient
Before and while using it
- Alcohol close to the dose can cause severe low blood pressure and fainting; follow individual instructions exactly
- Lie down and get help if you feel faint, and seek urgent care if symptoms do not settle or you lose consciousness
- Tell the clinician and pharmacist before any new medicine or herb because some interactions raise its level dangerously
- Sleepiness increases with sedatives, sleeping medicines, opioid painkillers and some antihistamines
- It is not for low desire caused by an untreated illness, medicine, mental-health or relationship problem, or for enhancing performance
Medicine interactions
- Antifungals, some antibiotics, HIV medicines and grapefruit juice can raise its level and cause low blood pressure; many are contraindicated
- Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John's wort can reduce its effect and are not recommended with it
- Alcohol, sedatives, sleeping medicines and opioids increase low blood pressure and nervous-system depression
- It can raise digoxin and some other narrow-margin medicines, which may need monitoring
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy; human information is insufficient to define the risk
- Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because it may enter milk and could cause serious effects in the infant
How to store it
- Keep tablets in their pack at room temperature, away from moisture and children's reach
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.