Viagra is a diamond-shaped "little blue pill" that was introduced in 1997 to help men with erectile dysfunction. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a "little pink pill" for women that will help increase their sex drive.
How do women and men feel about the pink pill?
While 41 percent of men over 50 are agreeable to their partner taking the pink pill, only 21 percent of women over 50 are in favor of it, according to an AARP online survey. Their caution is well-founded as the drug has many potentially dangerous side effects. The drug is called flibanserin and it will be marketed under the brand name Addyi. But it's not for everyone. Some of the side effects include sudden fainting, and the drug should never be taken with alcohol.
How the drug works
Unlike Viagra, which works by increasing blood flow, Addyi works by increasing serotonin to the brain. The chemical reaction increases the woman's ability to become sexually aroused. Sexual dysfunction is different between men and women and is, therefore, treated differently. But until now, there was no female version of Viagra on the market.
The pink pill is expected to be released in October 2015, will be priced similarly to Viagra, and most likely will also be covered by health insurance.
Read more by visiting www.nbcnews.com/health/sexual-health/fda-approves-controversial-female-viagra-restrictions-n412116
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