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A drug that failed tests as an antidepressant is being hailed as "Viagra for
women" after surprising but not unpleasant side effects.
In three separate trials, the drug flibanserin did wonders for women's flagging
sex drive despite doing nothing to lift mood.
The accidental discovery is akin to Viagra's - it was originally designed as a
heart medicine but failed.
The US work was presented at a sexual medicine meeting in Lyon, France.
Lead researcher Professor John Thorp, of the University of North Carolina, told
the European Society for Sexual Medicine: "Flibanserin was a poor
antidepressant.
It's essentially a Viagra-like drug for women in that diminished desire or
libido is the most common feminine sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction is
in men
Professor John Thorp who led the research
"However, astute observers noted that it increased libido in laboratory animals
and human subjects.
"So, we conducted multiple clinical trials."
The women in the studies who took 100mg of the drug once a day for their low
libido reported significant improvements in their sexual desire and
satisfactory sexual experiences, he said.
"It's essentially a Viagra-like drug for women in that diminished desire or
libido is the most common feminine sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction is
in men."
The trials were funded by manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim and involved 2,000
women in the US, Canada and Europe.
Some doctors are sceptical about the need for pills to boost female sex drive.
For some, reduced sexual interest or response may be "normal", says Professor
Irwin Nazareth or University College London.
Others say relying on a pill could stop couples talking through underlying
issues.
Paula Hall of Relate said: "Female loss of libido is a big problem and it is
not going away. It can cause problems within a relationship and affect
self-esteem.
"This research is really quite exciting for women with loving partners whose
loss of libido is a physical thing. But it is not going to fix a broken
relationship or help with looking after the kids or cleaning the house."