(flib AN ser in)
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: Treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), as characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and not due to a coexisting medical or psychiatric condition, problems within the relationship, or the effects of a medication or other drug substance.
Limitations of use: Flibanserin is not indicated for the treatment of HSDD in postmenopausal women or in men, or to enhance sexual performance.
Concomitant use of alcohol; concomitant use with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors; hepatic impairment
The use of flibanserin and alcohol increases the risk of severe hypotension and syncope. Therefore, alcohol use is contraindicated in patients taking flibanserin. Before prescribing flibanserin, assess the likelihood of the patient abstaining from alcohol, taking into account the patient 's current and past drinking behavior, and other pertinent social and medical history. Counsel patients who are prescribed flibanserin about the importance of abstaining from alcohol use. Because of the increased risk of hypotension and syncope due to an interaction with alcohol, flibanserin is available only through a restricted program under Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the Addyi REMS program.
Contraindicated with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors:The concomitant use of flibanserin and moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increases flibanserin concentrations, which can cause severe hypotension and syncope. Therefore, the use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated in patients taking flibanserin.
Contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment:The use of flibanserin in patients with hepatic impairment increases flibanserin concentrations, which can cause severe hypotension and syncope. Therefore, flibanserin is contraindicated in patients with hepatic impairment.
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: Females (premenopausal): Oral: 100 mg once daily at bedtime; assess treatment efficacy at 8 weeks and discontinue if symptoms have not improved.
Missed dose: If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and resume the normal dosing schedule at bedtime on the next day.
Dosage adjustment for the transition to or from treatment with a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: The concomitant use of flibanserin and moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors is contraindicated. The following guidelines are recommended by the manufacturer when transitioning to or from treatment with a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor:
Initiation of a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor following the use of flibanserin: Initiate the CYP3A4 inhibitor 2 days after the last dose of flibanserin. If the benefit of starting the CYP3A4 inhibitor within 2 days outweighs the risk of hypotension and syncope, monitor the patient closely.
Initiation of flibanserin following the use of a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor: Initiate flibanserin therapy 2 weeks after the last dose of the CYP3A4 inhibitor.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer 's labeling; however, dosage adjustments are unlikely to be required due to minimal change in AUC in patients with mild to severe renal impairment.
Use is contraindicated.
Administer orally once daily at bedtime
Store at 25 ‚ °C (77 ‚ °F); excursions permitted to 15 ‚ °C to 30 ‚ °C (59 ‚ °F to 86 ‚ °F).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral:
Addyi: 100 mg
Afatinib: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Afatinib. Management: Per US labeling: reduce afatinib by 10mg if not tolerated. Per Canadian labeling: avoid combination if possible; if used, administer the P-gp inhibitor simultaneously with or after the dose of afatinib. Consider therapy modification
Alcohol (Ethyl): May enhance the hypotensive effect of Flibanserin. Avoid combination
Azelastine (Nasal): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Azelastine (Nasal). Avoid combination
Blonanserin: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Blonanserin. Consider therapy modification
Bosutinib: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Bosutinib. Avoid combination
Brentuximab Vedotin: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Brentuximab Vedotin. Specifically, concentrations of the active monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) component may be increased. Monitor therapy
Brimonidine (Topical): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Buprenorphine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Buprenorphine. Management: Consider reduced doses of other CNS depressants, and avoiding such drugs in patients at high risk of buprenorphine overuse/self-injection. Initiate buprenorphine patches (Butrans brand) at 5 mcg/hr in adults when used with other CNS depressants. Consider therapy modification
Cannabis: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
CNS Depressants: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Colchicine: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Colchicine. Colchicine distribution into certain tissues (e.g., brain) may also be increased. Management: Colchicine is contraindicated in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function who are also receiving a p-glycoprotein inhibitor. In those with normal renal and hepatic function, reduce colchicine dose as directed. Consider therapy modification
Conivaptan: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
Contraceptives (Estrogens): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Monitor therapy
Contraceptives (Progestins): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Monitor therapy
CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Strong): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Monitor therapy
CYP3A4 Inducers (Moderate): May decrease the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inducers (Strong): May decrease the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Moderate): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Strong): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Avoid combination
CYP3A4 Inhibitors (Weak): May increase the serum concentration of Flibanserin. Monitor therapy
Dabigatran Etexilate: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase serum concentrations of the active metabolite(s) of Dabigatran Etexilate. Management: Dabigatran dose reductions may be needed. Specific recommendations vary considerably according to US vs Canadian labeling, specific P-gp inhibitor, renal function, and indication for dabigatran treatment. Refer to full monograph or dabigatran labeling. Consider therapy modification
Dasatinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Deferasirox: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Digoxin: Flibanserin may increase the serum concentration of Digoxin. Monitor therapy
Dimethindene: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
DOXOrubicin (Conventional): P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of DOXOrubicin (Conventional). Management: Seek alternatives to P-glycoprotein inhibitors in patients treated with doxorubicin whenever possible. One U.S. manufacturer (Pfizer Inc.) recommends that these combinations be avoided. Consider therapy modification
Doxylamine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: The manufacturer of Diclegis (doxylamine/pyridoxine), intended for use in pregnancy, specifically states that use with other CNS depressants is not recommended. Monitor therapy
Dronabinol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Droperidol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider dose reductions of droperidol or of other CNS agents (e.g., opioids, barbiturates) with concomitant use. Consider therapy modification
Edoxaban: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Edoxaban. Management: See full monograph for details. Reduced doses are recommended for patients receiving edoxaban for venous thromboembolism in combination with certain inhibitors. Similar dose adjustment is not recommended for edoxaban use in atrial fibrillation. Consider therapy modification
Everolimus: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Everolimus. Management: Everolimus dose reductions are required for patients being treated for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma or renal cell carcinoma. See prescribing information for specific dose adjustment and monitoring recommendations. Consider therapy modification
Flunitrazepam: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Flunitrazepam. Consider therapy modification
Fosaprepitant: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Fusidic Acid (Systemic): May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
HYDROcodone: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of HYDROcodone. Management: Consider starting with a 20% to 30% lower hydrocodone dose when using together with any other CNS depressant. Dose reductions in the other CNS depressant may also be warranted. Consider therapy modification
HydrOXYzine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Idelalisib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Avoid combination
Ivacaftor: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Kava Kava: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Luliconazole: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Magnesium Sulfate: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Methotrimeprazine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Methotrimeprazine. Methotrimeprazine may enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Reduce adult dose of CNS depressant agents by 50% with initiation of concomitant methotrimeprazine therapy. Further CNS depressant dosage adjustments should be initiated only after clinically effective methotrimeprazine dose is established. Consider therapy modification
MetyroSINE: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of MetyroSINE. Monitor therapy
Minocycline: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Mirtazapine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Mirtazapine. Monitor therapy
Nabilone: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Naloxegol: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Naloxegol. Monitor therapy
Orphenadrine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Orphenadrine. Avoid combination
Osimertinib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Osimertinib may decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
OxyCODONE: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of OxyCODONE. Management: When oxycodone is combined with another CNS depressant, a dose reduction of one or both agents should be considered. The extended release oxycodone starting dose should be reduced 50% to 67% when initiated in patients already receiving CNS depressants. Consider therapy modification
Palbociclib: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Paraldehyde: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Paraldehyde. Avoid combination
PAZOPanib: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of PAZOPanib. Avoid combination
Perampanel: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Patients taking perampanel with any other drug that has CNS depressant activities should avoid complex and high-risk activities, particularly those such as driving that require alertness and coordination, until they have experience using the combination. Consider therapy modification
P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Substrates: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Substrates. P-glycoprotein inhibitors may also enhance the distribution of p-glycoprotein substrates to specific cells/tissues/organs where p-glycoprotein is present in large amounts (e.g., brain, T-lymphocytes, testes, etc.). Monitor therapy
Piribedil [INT]: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Piribedil [INT]. Monitor therapy
Pramipexole: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of Pramipexole. Monitor therapy
Prucalopride: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Prucalopride. Monitor therapy
Ranolazine: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Ranolazine. Monitor therapy
RifAXIMin: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of RifAXIMin. Monitor therapy
ROPINIRole: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of ROPINIRole. Monitor therapy
Rotigotine: CNS Depressants may enhance the sedative effect of Rotigotine. Monitor therapy
Rufinamide: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of CNS Depressants. Specifically, sleepiness and dizziness may be enhanced. Monitor therapy
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: CNS Depressants may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Specifically, the risk of psychomotor impairment may be enhanced. Monitor therapy
Silodosin: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Silodosin. Avoid combination
Siltuximab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Simeprevir: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Sodium Oxybate: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Consider alternatives to combined use. When combined use is needed, consider minimizing doses of one or more drugs. Use of sodium oxybate with alcohol or sedative hypnotics is contraindicated. Consider therapy modification
Stiripentol: May increase the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Management: Use of stiripentol with CYP3A4 substrates that are considered to have a narrow therapeutic index should be avoided due to the increased risk for adverse effects and toxicity. Any CYP3A4 substrate used with stiripentol requires closer monitoring. Consider therapy modification
Suvorexant: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Suvorexant. Management: Dose reduction of suvorexant and/or any other CNS depressant may be necessary. Use of suvorexant with alcohol is not recommended, and the use of suvorexant with any other drug to treat insomnia is not recommended. Consider therapy modification
Tapentadol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Start tapentadol at a dose of one-third to one-half of the normal dose if being initiated in a patient who is taking another drug with CNS depressant effects. Monitor closely for evidence of excessive CNS depression. Consider therapy modification
Tetrahydrocannabinol: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Thalidomide: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Thalidomide. Avoid combination
Tocilizumab: May decrease the serum concentration of CYP3A4 Substrates. Monitor therapy
Topotecan: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Topotecan. Avoid combination
Trimeprazine: May enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Monitor therapy
Venetoclax: P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of Venetoclax. Management: Reduce the venetoclax dose by at least 50% in patients requiring these combinations. Consider therapy modification
VinCRIStine (Liposomal): P-glycoprotein/ABCB1 Inhibitors may increase the serum concentration of VinCRIStine (Liposomal). Avoid combination
Zolpidem: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Zolpidem. Management: Reduce the Intermezzo brand sublingual zolpidem adult dose to 1.75 mg for men who are also receiving other CNS depressants. No such dose change is recommended for women. Avoid use with other CNS depressants at bedtime; avoid use with alcohol. Consider therapy modification
Monitor for signs of hypotension and syncope
Following a single 50 mg dose in patients with renal impairment, the AUC was increased 1.1-fold in patients with mild to moderate impairment (GFR ≤80 mL/minute) and 1.2-fold in patients with severe impairment (GFR <30 mL/minute).
Following a single 50 mg dose in patients with mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A), the AUC was increased 4.5-fold.
CYP2C19 poor metabolizers: In patients who are poor metabolizers of CYP2C19, AUC was increased 1.3-fold, Cmax was increased 1.5-fold.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- CNS depression: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities. Patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving); wait ≥6 hours before performing these tasks. The risk of CNS depression is increased with administration during waking hours, in patients with hepatic impairment, or with concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants, or with medications that increase flibanserin concentrations (eg, CYP3A4 inhibitors).
- Hypotension/syncope: Use may result in hypotension and syncope; the risk is increased with administration during waking hours or if higher than the recommended dose is taken. Use with caution in patients predisposed to hypotension. Patients who experience pre-syncope should immediately lie supine and seek medical help if the symptoms do not resolve; patients who experience syncope should seek prompt medical attention.
Disease-related concerns:
- Hepatic impairment: [US Boxed Warning]: Use in patients with hepatic impairment results in increased flibanserin concentrations and a subsequent increased risk of severe hypotension and syncope; use in this patient population is contraindicated.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Alcohol: [US Boxed Warning]: Concomitant use of alcohol is contraindicated due to an increase in the risk of severe hypotension and syncope. Prior to the initiation of therapy, assess the likelihood of the patient abstaining from alcohol and counsel the patient on the importance of abstaining from alcohol use during treatment.
- CYP3A4 inhibitors: [US Boxed Warning]: Concomitant use of moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors results in increased flibanserin concentrations and subsequent increased risk of severe hypotension and syncope; concomitant use is contraindicated. If the patient requires treatment with a moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, discontinue flibanserin at least 2 days prior to the initiation of therapy. If the benefit of starting the CYP3A4 inhibitor outweighs the risk of hypotension and syncope, monitor the patient closely. Re-initiation of flibanserin should occur at least 2 weeks after the last dose of the CYP3A4 inhibitor. Concomitant use of multiple weak CYP3A4 inhibitors (eg, ginkgo, cimetidine) may increase the risk of hypotension and syncope; use with caution.
Special populations:
- CYP2C19 poor metabolizers: Use of flibanserin in patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers results in increased flibanserin concentrations and may increase the risk of hypotension and syncope; monitor these patients closely for adverse reactions.
Adverse events were observed in some animal reproduction studies.
The mechanism of action in the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder is not known. Flibanserin exhibits agonist activity at 5-HT1A and antagonist activity at 5-HT2A; moderate antagonist activity is seen at the 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, and dopamine D4 receptors.
Primarily metabolized by CYP3A4 and, to a lesser extent, by CYP2C19 to inactive metabolites.
Feces (51%); urine (44%)
0.75 hours (range: 0.75 to 4 hours)
Terminal: ~11 hours; mild hepatic impairment: increased to 26 hours; CYP2C19 poor metabolizers: increased to 13.5 hours compared to CYP2C19 extensive metabolizers
~98%, primarily to albumin
- Discuss specific use of drug and side effects with patient as it relates to treatment. (HCAHPS: During this hospital stay, were you given any medicine that you had not taken before? Before giving you any new medicine, how often did hospital staff tell you what the medicine was for? How often did hospital staff describe possible side effects in a way you could understand?)
- Patient may experience nausea, loss of strength and energy, insomnia, or dry mouth. Have patient report immediately to prescriber dizziness, passing out, or severe fatigue (HCAHPS).
- Educate patient about signs of a significant reaction (eg, wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat). Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Patient should consult prescriber for additional questions.
Intended Use and Disclaimer: Should not be printed and given to patients. This information is intended to serve as a concise initial reference for health care professionals to use when discussing medications with a patient. You must ultimately rely on your own discretion, experience and judgment in diagnosing, treating, and advising patients.