“Viagra” for Women is to Undergo FDA Evaluation

The drug flibanserin, designed to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), also known as chronic low libido, is on its way to be evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

'Female Viagra', as it is popularly dubbed, has been rejected by the FDA two times before, due to its reported side effects, such as fainting and low blood pressure, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea and insomnia. Flibanserin, which was originally created to treat symptoms of depression, is expected to be approved by the agency this time. The drug will be the first of its kind that is approved by an official agency should it pass trials, Daily Mail reported.

Flibanserin works on the pleasure center of the female brain instead of the genitals, like its male counterpart Viagra does. During the trials, the drug, which comes in pill form, is reported to increase sexual activity and sexual pleasure when taken once a day. Viagra on the other hand is usually taken when a sexual intercourse is expected rather than a daily-basis regimen, Daily Mail said.

Critics of the new drug claimed that it does not really offer treatment for women with low libido simply because the factors contributing to such problem are psychological, as well as physical.

The FDA also came under fire from women's groups, claiming that the agency was demonstrating 'institutionalized sexism' by undermining sexual dysfunction drugs for women as they prioritize those for men.

Viagra contributed to the rise of U.S. Pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and lifted the company to the world's biggest corporations list. Viagra's annual sales reach up to more than $2 billion. If the female Viagra succeeds, it is expected to bring in great amount of profit for the manufacturer, Sprout Pharmaceuticals. The chief executive officer of the company, Cindy Whitehead said: "We are one step closer to bringing to market the first treatment option for the most common form of female sexual dysfunction," Daily Mail reported.