In its first month on the market, the new female libido-boosting drug Addyi (flibanserin) has seen very poor sales; just 227 women have filled prescriptions for “the pink pill,” that marketing material promises will boost their sex drive. In Viagra’s first month, more than 600,000 prescriptions were filled.
Addyi, popularized in media as the “female Viagra,” was acquired by Canadian-based Valeant Pharmaceuticals from Raleigh-based Sprout Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth at least $1 billion in August. In a statement announcing the deal, the companies clarified the use and intention of the drug: “Addyi has demonstrated improvements in desire for sex, reducing distress from the loss of sexual desire and increasing the number of satisfying sexual events.”
The drug was approved by the FDA in August, as well, but with considerable restrictions restrictions for its sales and marketing.
Today, the National Women’s Health Network, a feminist health organization, launched a public awareness campaign warning women to avoid the drug.
In clinical trials, this daily drug for women was shown to have potentially dangerous side effects, including severe low blood pressure and sudden prolonged unconsciousness, which would be exacerbated when combined with alcohol.
A statement issued by Valeant goes into further detail about these side effects:
“Use of Addyi with alcohol increases the risk of severe hypotension and syncope; therefore, alcohol use is contraindicated. Severe hypotension and syncope occurs when Addyi is used with moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or in patients with hepatic impairment; therefore use of Addyi in patients with hepatic impairment is also contraindicated. Hypotension, syncope and central nervous system (CNS) depression can occur with Addyi alone. The most common adverse reactions are dizziness, somnolence, nausea, fatigue, insomnia and dry mouth.”
As a result, Addyi may be prescribed only by clinicians (and dispensed by pharmacists) who have been specially trained and certified. Women who receive a prescription must sign an unusual pledge promising to abstain from alcohol and to only take the pink pill at night, so if they faint, they will be in bed.
Last week, the National Women’s Health Network issued an emergency alert warning women about the dangerous health risks of the new pink pill. Today, it launched a public awareness campaign, called “Pass on the Pink Pill – or Pass Out!” On social media, women are posting photos of themselves passed out on a fainting couch with signs warning of reasons not to use Addyi.
“Weak initial sales are likely due to barriers the FDA put in place to slow Addyi’s introduction to the market,” said Cindy Pearson, Executive Director of the National Women’s Health Network in a statement announcing the campaign. “But I hope that ‘the pink pill’ will be as much of a business failure as it is a medical failure. Clinical trials showed Addyi doesn’t work for 9 out of 10 women and barely works, if at all, for the other ten percent. Most women are unwilling to give up drinking completely and endure such serious side effects as passing out. All women would be wise to pass on the pink pill.”
With the extremely limited number of prescriptions filled within the first month, the company’s big investors are active, as well, with some cutting their ownership and some buying additional stock in the company. Valeant stock has shed 73 percent of its value in the last few months. Shares dropped from a $262.50 close on Aug. 5 to a $70.32 close on Tuesday. Reuters is also reporting that more than 70 key employees have been offered cash and stock incentives to stay with the company and prevent mass departures.
