Navigating Side Effects and Benefits of Treatment

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. FLIBANSERIN (fly BAN ser in) treats hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It works by balancing substances in the brain that help regulate mood and increase sex drive.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. They need to know if you have any of these conditions: History of depression or other mental health conditions An unusual or allergic reaction to flibanserin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label.

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This medication should only be taken at bedtime. Do not take this medication with grapefruit juice. If you have 1 or 2 alcohol-containing drinks, wait at least 2 hours before taking this medication at bedtime. Do not take your bedtime dose if you have consumed 3 or more alcohol-containing drinks. After taking this medication at bedtime, do not drink alcohol until the next day.

Popular FAQ

It helps to use lubrication, focus more on foreplay, and communicate with your partner. Pelvic floor exercises and hormone therapy can also help. Female arousal can be triggered by a mix of emotional connection, mental state, and physical sensations. Emotional factors include feeling safe, trusting your partner, and feeling close or connected. Mental factors can include being relaxed, feeling playful, thinking about sexual fantasies, or reading erotic content.

FDA warnings: On liver disease, enzyme inhibitors, and alcohol

Physical sensations like kisses, hugs, massage, or clitoral stimulation can also spark arousal. Everyone is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. Many women will experience sexual problems at some point during their life. And there are many natural supplements that claim to help with everything from low libido and better orgasms to more pleasurable and frequent sex. But most products don’t have a lot of evidence to support their use.

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For some women, L-arginine, chasteberry, maca, probiotics, and DHEA may have some benefits. And, if you’re going through menopause, ginseng and red clover might be especially helpful. If you’re facing challenges in your sex life, talk with your healthcare team. They can help guide you toward starting a supplement safely. Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. It is not approved for use in children. Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others. If you miss your dose at bedtime, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at bedtime the next day. Do not take this medication the next morning or double your next dose. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.

Side Effects and Risks

Red wine and sexual function in men: An original point of view. Increasing women’s sexual desire: The comparative effectiveness of estrogens and androgens. The action of herbal medicine on the libido: Aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire. The effect of Korean red ginseng on sexual function in premenopausal women: Placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover clinical trial. Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in improving sexual function in women: A pilot study.

What can cause low libido in women?

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Ashwagandha: A review of clinical use and efficacy. More women look over the counter for a libido fix. The effect of ginseng on sexual dysfunction in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men.

Side effects

Acceptability, safety, and efficacy of oral administration of extracts of black or red maca (Lepidium meyenii) in adult human subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Relation of arginine-lysine antagonism to herpes simplex growth in tissue culture. Adjuvant administration of probiotic effects on sexual function in depressant women undergoing SSRIs treatment: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. The effect of red clover isoflavones on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement for enhancement of female sexual function. Some items may interact with your medicine. Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better after you have taken this medication for 8 weeks. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness for at least 6 hours after your dose and until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly.

This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness, and can increase the risk of low blood pressure or fainting spells when combined with this medication. Wait at least 2 hours after consuming 1 or 2 standard alcoholic drinks before taking this medication at bedtime. Do not take this medication at bedtime if you have consumed 3 or more standard alcoholic drinks that evening. Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

The use of natural products for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Ginseng for managing menopausal woman’s health: A systematic review of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Safety and effectiveness of arginine in adults. Discovering a new paradigm: Gut microbiota as a central modulator of sexual health. Tribulus terrestris: Purported benefits, side effects & more.

MACA EXTRACT

Effect of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) flesh extract on sexual behavior of male rats. Chiang Mai University Journal of Natural Sciences. Effects of a standardised extract of Trifolium pratense (Promensil) at a dosage of 80 mg in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?

Hormone therapy

The effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on sexual function: A systematic review. The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: Prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings and precautions

The effects of exercise on sexual function in women. The effect of probiotic supplementation on sexual function in premenopausal and menopausal women: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Green tea catechins and cardiovascular health: An update. Female sexual arousal: Genital anatomy and orgasm in intercourse. Natural aphrodisiacs—A buy tadalista 60 review of selected sexual enhancers.

Interactions with other medications

Prevalence of low sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a nationally representative sample of US women. A PRISMA systematic review of sexual dysfunction and probiotics with pathophysiological mechanisms. A review of traditional pharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Tribulus terrestris. Vitagnus an estrogen-riched herbal remedy used in sexual dysfunction: A randomized clinical trial. Effectiveness of commercial red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) products for the treatment of symptoms in menopausal women—a narrative review.

Are OTC supplements for sexual health FDA approved?

Flibanserin is a medication that treats hypoactive sexual desire disorder, which causes low libido or a lack of sexual desire. It increases sexual desire and reduces related distress. Take it by mouth, as directed, and avoid grapefruit juice. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Store at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date. To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired: Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location. If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. It may not cover all possible information.

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If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. Sign up for our Health Essentials emails for expert guidance on nutrition, fitness, sleep, skin care and more.