Sales start Pink Viagra for women in the market

In a few days the sale of "Addyi" in the USA starts. The drug, which has long been the headline news as "Viagra for Women", has recently been approved for the US market. Whether and when the so-called "pleasure pill" is introduced in Germany is unclear. Health experts are skeptical and warn against side effects. 

"Viagra for women" in a few days on the market
For months, it has been announced: the pill, the women should make more pleasure. Long before the market launch, the pill titled "Pink Viagra" or "Viagra for the Woman" caused quite a stir. In August, the funds received after second failed attempts finally approved in the US. From next Saturday the drug flibanserin will be offered on the US market under the trade name "Addyi". "The sweetest day" cheers the manufacturer Sprout Pharmaceuticals on its website. "Meet Addyi," it says. "It's the first of its kind." But many experts are skeptical.

Experts doubt the success
According to a news agency dpa, several experts doubt that the product will be a success, both in business and in its effect. Actually, a remedy for sexual aversion in women long overdue, as the gynecologist Karen Adams of the Health and Science University in the state of Oregon said to the "Forbes" magazine. "Between 40 and 50 percent of all women have some sort of sexual disorder. So this is very common and so seen in the pharmaceutical development market has not done much, "said the doctor.

A German invention
Originally Flibanserin was a development of the Rhineland-Palatinate Boehringer Ingelheim. The small US company Sprout Pharmaceuticals from North Carolina had taken over the patent after the Rhineland-Palatinate had failed at the US Drug Administration (FDA). In 2013, the Americans failed, too, this year they were successful. Immediately thereafter, Canadian pharmaceutical giant Valeant swallowed Sprout Pharmaceuticals in August. The active substance flibanserin was actually developed to relieve depression. During the development, the researchers of the pharmaceutical company discovered that the substance can also increase the sense of pleasure of women.

Effects only in a few women
Despite the nickname, the preparation is not comparable to Viagra for men. The blue pill acts directly on the body and helps men get an erection. It is about the ability, not the will. For many women, however, the problem is not physical. Some people rarely or never feel like having sex, and when it comes to it, they do not enjoy it. This is usually a burden for the women themselves, but not infrequently also for the men or the relationship. The drug, which influences messenger substances in the brain, should bring these women back the desire.

While Viagra works directly and affects almost 100 percent of men, Addyi is significantly less efficient and more risky. The tablet must be taken daily. Only after a few weeks do slight effects become apparent - and only in about one in ten women.

Health experts warn against risks
Besides, they are not completely safe. Many doctors warn about health risks. The remedy often has strong side effects such as dizziness, tiredness and nausea. In addition, women should not drink alcohol for the entire duration of the intake so as not to exacerbate the threatening side effects. Many gynecologists, as well as Karen Adams, advise her patients not to rush to the supposed miracle cure. It would be better to check for sexual discomfort first other factors: For example, the physical and mental health or even the state of the relationship.

Often problems with a couple therapy could be solved. "It's really inappropriate to start with a tablet," Adams says. "You have to first look at the reasons why a woman does not want to have sex." Quite essential is obviously stress. According to a poll, he is the number one lust killer for women in Germany. Almost three-quarters of them also said a pleasure pill for women was "not an option" for them. (Ad)