Biotech and Pharma

There's a libido-boosting drug for women, but it's off to a slow start

The female sex-drive drug Addyi.
Allen G. Breed | AP

Called the 'Viagra for women,' female libido-boosting drug, Addyi, hasn't had much of a hot start on the market.

After just two weeks of availability, the online health and medicine publication STAT reported that only 80 prescriptions have been filled for the pill through the end of October.

The drug, which treats sexual dysfunction in women, was the first of its kind to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration after being rejected twice because it showed only modest benefits. Addyi was manufactured by Sprout Pharmaceuticals—a company recently acquired by Valeant Pharmaceuticals.

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The female sex-drive drug Addyi.
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According to the STAT report, Addyi's low prescription count could be attributed to a key limitation of the drug. While the drug must be taken every day to be effective, it can never be mixed with alcohol.

Read STAT's full report here.

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that STAT is an online health and medicine publication. STAT is a content partner of the Boston Globe.