Addyi (flibanserin) | BorderFreeHealth

Addyi is a prescription medicine containing flibanserin, used for acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in certain premenopausal women when low desire causes distress. Ships from Canada to US as part of BorderFreeHealth’s cross-border referral and fulfillment process, which this page explains alongside practical safety and handling basics. It also summarizes key label points on who it’s for, how it’s usually taken, and what to review with a clinician, including common side effects and interaction risks, which can matter for people paying cash without insurance.

What Addyi Is and How It Works

This medicine contains flibanserin, a non-hormonal therapy that acts primarily in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). It is intended for a specific diagnosis: acquired, generalized HSDD (persistently low sexual desire that is new or worsened, occurs across situations, and causes distress). In plain terms, it is meant for low desire that feels out of character and troubling, not for occasional changes in interest. Flibanserin is sometimes discussed online as the “pink pill” and is also compared to “female viagra,” but it does not work like sildenafil and it is not taken on an as-needed basis.

BorderFreeHealth works with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies for dispensing.

Flibanserin’s exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is known to affect neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. That brain-based activity is one reason sleepiness and dizziness can occur, especially if taken at the wrong time of day. Because HSDD can have multiple contributors, clinicians typically look for relationship factors, mood concerns, medication effects, pain with sex, or medical conditions that can lower desire before deciding whether this treatment is appropriate.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated for certain premenopausal women with acquired, generalized HSDD when the symptoms are not better explained by another medical condition, a psychiatric condition, relationship problems, or the effects of a medication or other substance. Diagnosis is more than a quick checklist, since “low libido” can be a symptom of many situations. For broader context and related topics, the Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder hub collects options and adjacent resources in one place.

It is not indicated for men, and it is not generally used for postmenopausal HSDD. It also isn’t meant for low desire that is primarily due to painful intercourse or untreated vaginal dryness. Those issues can require different evaluation and treatment. Hormonal conditions can also affect sexual interest and comfort; the article PCOS Symptoms Overview is one example of how endocrine changes may show up in daily life. When exploring symptoms, clinicians may also review alcohol use, liver history, and current medicines because these factors can change safety risks for flibanserin.

Dosage and Usage

Label directions for flibanserin are designed to reduce the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure), syncope (fainting), and marked sleepiness. For most patients, the prescribing information describes a once-daily regimen taken at bedtime rather than during waking hours. Taking it at night matters because dizziness and sedation may interfere with daytime activities, and the risk of falls can be higher if taken at the wrong time.

For Addyi, the labeled regimen is 100 mg by mouth at bedtime; patients should follow the prescriber’s exact instructions and the dispensing label. If a dose is missed, the label generally advises skipping it and taking the next dose at bedtime the following day rather than doubling up. Clinicians may reassess benefit and tolerability after a defined trial period; the prescribing information describes discontinuing if there is no improvement after 8 weeks. Alcohol-related precautions are also important, so the Medication Guide should be read carefully before starting and during ongoing use.

Strengths and Forms

Flibanserin is supplied as an oral tablet, and the commonly marketed presentation is a 100 mg strength. The brand product is often referred to as the “pink pill” because of its tablet color, which has contributed to common online nicknames. Availability can vary over time and by dispensing partner, so the strength and product identity should always be confirmed on the package at the time of dispense.

The table below summarizes the typical presentation described in U.S. labeling. If a prescription is written differently, the dispensing label and prescriber’s directions should be treated as the source of truth.

In practical terms, most people will see “Flibanserin 100 mg tablet” on the bottle or carton. If anything looks inconsistent (name, strength, or directions), it should be clarified with the pharmacy before the first dose.

Storage and Travel Basics

Flibanserin tablets are typically stored at controlled room temperature and kept away from excess heat and moisture. Bathrooms and vehicles can be poor storage locations because humidity and temperature swings may be significant. Keeping tablets in the original container also reduces mix-ups, especially for people who take more than one daily medicine.

Quick tip: Keep a photo of the label and DIN/NDC details for reference while traveling.

For travel planning, it helps to carry the medication in hand luggage with the pharmacy label visible, since that label supports legitimate possession if questions come up. Time-zone changes can complicate bedtime routines; rather than improvising, many people review timing questions with their prescriber ahead of travel. If menopause status or age-related changes are part of the broader health picture, Menopause And Beyond Guide provides general background that may help frame discussions about symptoms, comfort, and overall sexual health.

Side Effects and Safety

Like many brain-acting medicines, flibanserin can cause effects related to alertness. Commonly reported side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and dry mouth. Some people also report feeling lightheaded when standing quickly. These effects are part of why bedtime dosing is emphasized in labeling, and why combining it with alcohol or sedating medicines raises concern.

More serious risks include severe hypotension (very low blood pressure) and syncope (fainting), which can lead to injury from falls. Anyone who experiences fainting, severe dizziness, confusion, or trouble staying awake should seek urgent medical attention. Prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

Why it matters: Mixing sedatives or alcohol can increase impairment and fall risk.

Addyi also carries cautions about next-day impairment for some individuals, particularly when combined with other central nervous system depressants (sedating medicines). Because safety depends on the full medication list and health history, clinicians usually reassess ongoing appropriateness during follow-up visits, especially after any new medication is started or stopped.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Flibanserin has clinically important interaction risks. Some interactions increase blood levels of the drug, which can raise the chance of hypotension, fainting, and sedation. A major category is moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (medicines that block a liver enzyme involved in drug breakdown). Examples can include certain antifungals, antibiotics, and HIV medicines, but the exact list is best confirmed by a pharmacist because it changes as medications change.

Alcohol is a key caution because it can add to blood-pressure lowering and sedation. Addyi labeling includes specific warnings about alcohol use and timing; patients should follow the Medication Guide and prescriber directions rather than guessing. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice may also affect metabolism for some drugs and is commonly discussed as a precaution with CYP3A4 substrates. Other cautions include liver impairment (where use is not recommended) and the combined effects of sleep aids, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other sedatives. A complete, updated medication list should include over-the-counter products and supplements.

Compare With Alternatives

Low desire can be multi-factorial, so alternatives often depend on what is driving symptoms. When relationship stress, depression, anxiety, or medication side effects are prominent, clinicians may prioritize counseling, mental health support, or adjusting contributing medicines. When pain with sex is the dominant issue, a workup for vulvovaginal conditions and treatment of vaginal dryness can be more relevant than a desire-focused medicine.

For example, some patients with diagnosed HSDD may discuss other prescription options with their clinician, such as PT 141 Details (a different mechanism and route of administration) or local estrogen therapies used for vulvovaginal atrophy, depending on menopausal status and symptoms. For readers comparing approaches to vaginal dryness treatment, Imvexxy Overview is one on-site example of a local therapy category, and the guide Imvexxy Uses And Works explains how that class is commonly used.

Because Addyi is sometimes mislabeled as “female viagra,” it helps to know the difference: sildenafil targets blood flow for erectile dysfunction, while flibanserin works on brain neurotransmitters and is taken on a schedule. Menopause symptom management can also intersect with sexual comfort; background resources like Premarin For Hot Flashes and Premarin For Menopause Symptoms can support broader conversations with a clinician.

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket costs for prescription therapies vary based on dispensing channel, location, and whether coverage applies. Some people encounter prior authorization requirements, quantity limits, or step-therapy rules through insurance plans. Others pay cash without insurance, in which case budgeting is often a central part of the decision process. Addyi access also depends on safety screening, since prescribers and pharmacists may need to confirm liver history, alcohol use, and the full medication list.

Cash-pay access is available when coverage is limited.

BorderFreeHealth coordinates cross-border prescription fulfillment and supports documentation steps needed for dispensing through partner pharmacies. For site tools that can affect overall costs, see Current Promotions when available. Browsing the Womens Health category can also help compare therapy types by symptom focus, while Womens Health Posts offers deeper reading on related conditions and treatment contexts.

Authoritative Sources

For safety-critical decisions, the most reliable references are the official prescribing information and Medication Guide, plus advice from a licensed clinician who knows the patient’s history. The sources below are useful for confirming indications, contraindications, interaction warnings, and patient counseling points. They are also the best place to verify updates if labeling changes over time.

For the FDA’s official product record, see Flibanserin Prescribing Information (FDA).

For patient-friendly counseling details, see Flibanserin Overview (MedlinePlus).

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This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.