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# Drugs for hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Medicines for low sexual desire that causes distress in premenopausal women: daily flibanserin and on-demand bremelanotide.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

## What they are

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is low or absent sexual desire that causes marked distress and is not explained by another medical or mental health condition, relationship problems or a substance. Treatment starts with assessing these causes; sex therapy and psychotherapy are part of care. Two medicines are approved for premenopausal women: flibanserin, a tablet taken every night, and bremelanotide, an injection used before sexual activity. Neither is for men, for postmenopausal women or for improving sexual performance.

## Mechanism of action

Both act in the brain, and how they improve desire is not known. Flibanserin is a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor agonist and 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Bremelanotide is a melanocortin receptor agonist.

Target: Brain serotonin receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT2A) and melanocortin receptors

## Key points

- Only for premenopausal women whose low desire causes distress and has no other explanation.
- Flibanserin with alcohol can cause severe low blood pressure and fainting (boxed warning).
- Bremelanotide can raise blood pressure and slow the heart for hours after a dose; it is not used with uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease.
- Bremelanotide can darken the skin of the face, gums and breasts, sometimes permanently.
- For both, the doctor is contacted if there is no improvement after about eight weeks.

## Drugs in this class

- [**Flibanserin** A bedtime tablet for low sexual desire that causes distress in premenopausal women. With alcohol it can cause severe… Serotonin 5-HT1A (agonist) and 5-HT2A (antagonist) receptors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/flibanserin/)

## Others in the class

- Bremelanotide (melanocortin receptor agonist, injected under the skin before sexual activity)

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which patients are drugs for hypoactive sexual desire disorder approved for?

Premenopausal women whose low sexual desire causes distress and is not explained by another condition, relationship problems or a substance.

## How do flibanserin and bremelanotide differ in use?

Flibanserin is a tablet taken every night; bremelanotide is an injection used before sexual activity.

## Which cardiovascular effect is typical of bremelanotide?

A rise in blood pressure with a fall in heart rate after the dose.

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Flibanserin: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a615040.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Bremelanotide Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619054.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=G02CX) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/drugs-for-hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder/