Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more about Addyi, getting Addyi, taking Addyi, or what to expect with Addyi? See the frequently asked questions below:

addyi-bottle_tilt

What is Addyi?

Addyi is an FDA-approved prescription medicine used to treat hypoactive (low) sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women who have not gone through menopause who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past, and who have low sexual desire no matter the type of sexual activity, the situation, or the sexual partner.

Women with HSDD have low sexual desire that is troubling to them. Their low sexual desire is not due to a medical or mental health problem, problems in the relationship or medicine or other drug use. Addyi is not for use for the treatment of HSDD in women who have gone through menopause, men or children. Addyi is not for use to enhance sexual performance.


How long will Addyi take to work?

You may experience improvements in your HSDD symptoms, including an increase in sexual desire, a decrease in associated distress, and an increase in satisfying sexual events as early as 4 weeks after starting Addyi. However, it may take longer for you to notice these improvements Addyi should be discontinued if there is no improvement in 8 weeks. Not all women will experience similar improvements in their HSDD symptoms after starting Addyi.


Is Addyi hormonal?

Addyi is a non-hormonal treatment.


What medications should not be taken with Addyi?

Taking Addyi with certain medicines can increase the amount of Addyi in your blood, leading to clinically significant drug interactions. These interactions may cause severe low blood pressure, fainting (loss of consciousness), and sleepiness.

Before you start taking Addyi and throughout treatment, it is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some commonly prescribed medications are contraindicated with Addyi and should be avoided.

Examples of commonly prescribed medications that you should avoid while taking Addyi include antibiotics, nefazodone (a medicine used to treat depression), and certain medicines* used to treat HIV-1 infection, fungal infections, hepatitis-C infections, high blood pressure, chest pain, or other heart problems.

*Only select medications used to treat these conditions are contraindicated with Addyi. Please refer to the Addyi Medication Guide for a more comprehensive list.


Do I have to take Addyi every day?

Yes, Addyi must be taken every night at bedtime to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) symptoms. Addyi is not an on-demand medication.

If you miss a dose of Addyi, skip your missed dose. Take your next dose at bedtime the next day. Do not take Addyi the next morning or double your next dose.


Can I take Addyi as needed (on-demand)?

Addyi is not an on-demand medication. Addyi must be taken every night at bedtime to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) symptoms.


What happens if I stop taking Addyi? Will my low desire return?

Addyi is taken once daily at bedtime to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) symptoms. If you have experienced improvements in your HSDD symptoms while taking Addyi, such as increased libido and reduced distress, you may notice that your HSDD symptoms return once you stop taking Addyi.


What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects are dizziness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, dry mouth, and tiredness. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider since these are not all of the possible side effects.


I just found out I’m pregnant, can I continue Addyi?

Congratulations on your pregnancy. It is important to tell your doctor that you were taking Addyi when you became pregnant. It is not known if Addyi will harm your unborn baby.


Can I take Addyi while breastfeeding?

Great question– It is not known if Addyi passes into your breast milk. You should talk to your health care provider and decide if you will take Addyi or breastfeed. You should not do both.


Is it safe to drink alcohol and take Addyi?

In the evening, if you consume up to 2 drinks** wait 2 hours before taking Addyi at bedtime; skip your Addyi dose if you have consumed 3 or more drinks** that evening. After you have taken your Addyi at bedtime do not drink alcohol until the following day.

** A standard alcoholic drink includes: one 12-ounce regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or shot.


Can I get addicted to Addyi?

Controlled substances are medications that may result in physical or mental dependence leading to addiction. Addyi is not a controlled substance. Addyi has no warnings or precautions about potential addiction.


IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION AND INDICATION

What is the most important information I should know about ADDYI?
Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness) is increased if you take ADDYI and:

  • drink alcohol close in time to when you take your ADDYI dose.
    • Wait at least 2 hours after drinking 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks before taking ADDYI at bedtime. Examples of 1 standard alcoholic drink include: one 12-ounce regular beer, 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits or shot
    • If you drink 3 or more standard alcoholic drinks in the evening, skip your ADDYI dose at bedtime.
    • After you have taken your ADDYI at bedtime, >do not drink alcohol until the following day.
  • take certain prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal supplements. Do not take or start taking any prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, or herbal supplements while taking ADDYI until you have talked with your doctor. Your doctor will tell you if it is safe to take other medicines or herbal supplements while you are taking ADDYI.
  • have liver problems. Do not take ADDYI if you have liver problems.

If you take ADDYI and you feel lightheaded or dizzy, lie down right away. Get emergency medical help or ask someone to get emergency medical help for you if the symptoms do not go away or if you feel like you could faint (lose consciousness). If you faint (lose consciousness), tell your doctor as soon as you can.

Who should not take ADDYI?

Do not take ADDYI if you:

  • take certain medicines. Taking ADDYI with certain other medicines can increase the amount of ADDYI in your blood and cause severe low blood pressure, fainting (loss of consciousness), and sleepiness.
  • Do not take ADDYI if you are taking any of the following medicines:
    • Certain medicines used to treat HIV-1 infection
    • Certain medicines that you take by mouth used to treat fungal infections
    • Certain antibiotics
    • Certain medicines used to treat Hepatitis C infection
    • Certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), or other heart problems
    • Nefazodone: a medicine used to treat depression

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you take any of the medicines listed above. These are examples of the medicines that you should not take if you are taking ADDYI. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take before you start taking ADDYI

  • have liver problems
  • are allergic to flibanserin or any of the ingredients in ADDYI. See Medication Guide for the full list of ingredients.

What should I tell my doctor before taking ADDYI?

Before you take ADDYI, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • drink alcohol, use drugs, or have a history of alcohol or drug abuse
  • have ever had depression or other mental health problems
  • have low blood pressure or a medical condition that can cause low blood pressure
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ADDYI will harm your unborn baby.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ADDYI passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take ADDYI or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction such as hives, itching, or trouble breathing during or after receiving a dose of ADDYI.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ADDYI can affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines can affect the way ADDYI works, and can cause serious side effects.

What should I avoid while taking ADDYI?

  • Do not drink alcohol close to the time you take your ADDYI dose because this increases your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness).
  • Do not drive, operate machinery, or do things that require clear thinking until at least 6 hours after you take ADDYI and until you know how ADDYI affects you.
  • Do not drink grapefruit juice if you take ADDYI. Drinking grapefruit juice during your treatment with ADDYI increases your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness).
  • You should not take the herbal supplements St. John’s Wort, ginkgo, or resveratrol or certain over-the-counter medicines such as cimetidine until you talk to your doctor. Taking ADDYI with these herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines may increase your risk of low blood pressure, fainting (loss of consciousness), and sleepiness.

What are the possible side effects of ADDYI?

ADDYI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Sleepiness is a common side effect of ADDYI and can be serious. Taking ADDYI can increase your risk of sleepiness if taken during waking hours, if you drink alcohol, or take certain medicines or herbal supplements.
  • Low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness) can happen when you take ADDYI even if you do not drink alcohol or take other medicines or herbal supplements. Your risk of low blood pressure and fainting (loss of consciousness) is increased if ADDYI is taken during waking hours, if you drink alcohol within 2 hours of taking ADDYI, or if you take certain medicines or herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of ADDYI include:

  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Tiredness

These are not all of the possible side effects of ADDYI. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088

See full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING regarding severe low blood pressure and fainting in certain settings, and Medication Guide at Addyi.com/pi.

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor.

INDICATION

What is ADDYI (add-ee) (flibanserin) Tablets?
ADDYI is a prescription medicine used to treat hypoactive (low) sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women who have not gone through menopause, who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past, and who have low sexual desire no matter the type of sexual activity, the situation, or the sexual partner. Women with HSDD have low sexual desire that is troubling to them. Their low sexual desire is not due to:

  • a medical or mental health problem
  • problems in the relationship
  • medicine or other drug use

ADDYI is not for use for the treatment of HSDD in women who have gone through menopause, in men or in children.
ADDYI is not for use to enhance sexual performance.