Addyi (Flibanserin) – What You Need to Know
We wanted to share some important information about Addyi, the medication prescribed to help improve sexual desire (libido) in women who have experienced a decrease over time that causes distress or strain in their relationship.
How Addyi Works
Addyi helps rebalance certain brain chemicals (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) that influence sexual desire. It’s not a hormone, and it doesn’t work like medications such as Viagra — instead, it gradually helps your brain reconnect the “desire” pathways over time.
You can think of it as a daily reset for your sexual desire response, not an immediate stimulant.
When to Expect Results
Addyi is taken once nightly at bedtime (100 mg). It can take up to 8 weeks to start noticing benefits — and full results may take up to 3 months. You’ll need to take it every night for it to be effective; missing doses can slow progress. If you don’t see any improvement after 8 weeks, we’ll reassess whether it’s the right fit for you.
How to Take It
Take 1 tablet by mouth at bedtime (this helps reduce dizziness and fatigue). Avoid alcohol completely within 2 hours before your dose and throughout treatment. Combining alcohol and Addyi can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure and fainting. Try to take it at the same time each night. If you miss a dose, skip it — don’t double up.
Common Side Effects
Most are mild and improve as your body adjusts.
Dizziness or lightheadedness. Fatigue or sleepiness. NauseaLow blood pressure (especially if combined with alcohol or certain meds) If you ever faint, feel severe dizziness, or have an unusual reaction, stop taking it and call our office.
What to Avoid
Alcohol (strictly prohibited). Strong antibiotics or antifungals (like fluconazole, clarithromycin, ketoconazole). Other medications that affect liver metabolism (we’ll screen for this before starting).
What to Expect Emotionally
Addyi isn’t a “magic pill”. It’s a slow and steady improvement in your baseline desire and connection. You may notice subtle shifts — feeling more responsive, more emotionally connected, and more mentally open to intimacy — before noticing a strong physical change.
Many women say the change feels natural and progressive, not forced.
Follow-Up
We recommend a check-in at 8 weeks to review how you’re feeling and assess progress.
If it’s helping, we’ll continue and re-evaluate periodically.
If there’s no benefit by 12 weeks, we’ll consider adjusting or exploring other options that may better fit your physiology or goals.
Bottom Line
Addyi is about restoring balance and connection, not creating instant results. It’s safe when used properly and has helped many women rediscover their natural sense of desire and intimacy.
