Addyi Is the Only FDA-Approved Daily Pill for Low Sexual Desire in Women

Addyi (Flibanserin) is a prescription medication approved by the FDA to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women under 65. It's a once-daily pill taken at bedtime that works by adjusting serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels in the brain to help restore sexual desire.

Sometimes called "the female Viagra" — though it works completely differently — Addyi was first approved in 2015 and remains the only daily oral treatment for HSDD. Here's everything you need to know about it heading into 2026.

What Is Addyi?

Addyi is the brand name for Flibanserin, a medication classified as a multifunctional serotonin agonist and antagonist (MSAA). It's manufactured by Sprout Pharmaceuticals.

Unlike Viagra, which increases blood flow to treat erectile dysfunction, Addyi works in the brain. It acts on serotonin receptors (specifically as a 5-HT1A agonist and 5-HT2A antagonist) to increase dopamine and norepinephrine while reducing serotonin in the prefrontal cortex. This shift in brain chemistry is what helps restore desire over time.

For a plain-English explanation of the science, see our guide on how Addyi works.

What Is Addyi Used For?

Addyi is FDA-approved for one specific condition: acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in women under 65.

Let's break that down:

• Acquired: The low desire developed over time — it wasn't always there.
• Generalized: It happens in all situations and with all partners, not just in specific circumstances.
• HSDD: A persistent lack of sexual desire that causes personal distress. It's not about a low libido that doesn't bother you — it's about wanting to want, and feeling frustrated that the desire isn't there.

Addyi is not approved for:

• Women over 65
• Men
• Low desire caused by medications, relationship problems, or other medical/psychiatric conditions
• Improving sexual performance or arousal (it treats desire, not physical response)

How Is Addyi Taken?

Addyi comes as a 100 mg pink, oval, film-coated tablet. Here's how to take it:

• Dose: One 100 mg tablet daily
• When: At bedtime only — this is critical for safety, not just convenience
• With food? Can be taken with or without food
• Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take the next one at bedtime the following night. Never double up.
• How long to take it: Your doctor should evaluate your response after 8 weeks. If there's no improvement in sexual desire, Addyi should be discontinued.

Taking Addyi at bedtime is a safety requirement, not a recommendation. The medication can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, and sleepiness — all of which are less dangerous when you're in bed. For more on this, read about Addyi's side effects.

Who Should Not Take Addyi?

Addyi is not safe for everyone. The following groups should not take it:

• Anyone who drinks alcohol regularly. Addyi has a boxed warning about alcohol. Combining the two can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure and fainting. If you drink, you must follow strict guidelines (wait 2+ hours after 1–2 drinks; skip the dose after 3+ drinks).
• People taking moderate or strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. These include common medications like Fluconazole (Diflucan), Ketoconazole, Clarithromycin, HIV protease inhibitors, and others. See our full list of Addyi drug interactions.
• Anyone with liver impairment. Even mild liver problems are a contraindication because the liver processes Flibanserin, and impaired function causes dangerous buildup.
• Men and children. Addyi is only approved for adult women under 65.

How Much Does Addyi Cost?

This is where it gets complicated — and expensive.

• Retail cash price: $800–$1,173 per month (30 tablets) at most retail pharmacies
• Insurance coverage: Most insurance plans and Medicare do not cover Addyi. Some commercial plans cover it with prior authorization.
• Generic availability: No generic is currently available. The earliest generic Flibanserin may enter the market around May 2028.

Ways to Save

• PhilRx mail-order: Sprout Pharmaceuticals partners with PhilRx to offer Addyi at $149/month cash price or as low as $20/month with insurance. Visit addyicoupon.com.
• Patient assistance programs: Available through PhilRx, NeedyMeds, and RxAssist for patients who qualify based on financial need.

For every available savings option, see our comprehensive guide on how to save money on Addyi.

Where to Get Addyi

Addyi isn't stocked at most retail pharmacies. The primary way to get it is through PhilRx mail-order pharmacy. Some retail and specialty pharmacies do carry it, but availability is inconsistent.

Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have Addyi in stock. For tips on the broader availability picture, read why Addyi is so hard to find.

Final Thoughts

Addyi fills an important gap as the only daily oral treatment for HSDD. It's not a magic pill — it works gradually over weeks, it comes with real safety restrictions around alcohol and drug interactions, and it's expensive without savings programs.

But for women who have HSDD and meet the criteria, it can make a meaningful difference. Talk to your doctor about whether it's right for you. If you need help finding a prescriber or locating it at a pharmacy, we have guides for that too.