The NWHN’s Statement on the FDA Ordering Sprout Pharmaceuticals to Retain Black Box Label Warning Women Not Mix Addyi and Alcohol

Washington D.C. —  Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered Sprout Pharmaceuticals to update the label of their female libido pill, flibanserin (brand name: Addyi). The label change says women should discontinue drinking alcohol at least two hours before taking Addyi at bedtime or skip the Addyi dose that evening and that women should not consume alcohol at least until the morning after taking Addyi at bedtime.

The drug continues to carry a black box warning about potentially dangerous low blood pressure and fainting, especially when taken with alcohol. Patients taking the drug were previously told to avoid alcohol completely.

The changes recommended by the FDA were based on post-marketing studies by the company, which are required in some cases after approval of a drug. The NWHN believes that Sprout Pharmaceuticals must ensure this new labeling information is visible and prominent in every place Addyi is prescribed, including third-party telemedicine websites.

“If women do want to use Addyi, we encourage them to follow the FDA’s advice about not drinking at least two hours beforehand and eight to ten hours afterward,” says Cindy Pearson, the Executive Director of The National Women’s Health Network.

The Network applauds the FDA for ensuring women get the safety information they need when deciding whether or not to take Addyi.

The Network is supported by our members and by choice we do not accept financial support from drug companies or medical device manufacturers. We bring the voices, concerns and needs of women consumers to policy and regulatory tables.

Cindy Pearson was the NWHN’s Executive Director from 1996 to 2021. One of the nation’s leading advocates for women’s health, Cindy often testified before Congress,  NIH, and the FDA and was frequently featured in the news as a consumer expert on women’s health issues. When she retired, Cindy received a Congressional Resolution in honor of her outstanding contributions to the health of women and girls.