FDA Approves 'Female Viagra' & Could Hit Shelves Soon

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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – The Food and Drug Adminstration has approved a drug to help women's libidos.

Although Flibanserin – known as the little pink pill – may be months away from being made available to women with low libido, it's got people on Lincoln Road talking.

"I think it's good," said Caterine Gomez. "I mean, if men get a benefit out of it, women will also."

"I think anything that increases somebody's sexual performance or enhances it is good," said Darryl Grandison.

"If men have the option to use something, I think it's great that women have the option to use it as well," said Amanda Fawcett.

Advocates say Flibanserin boosts desire in women with low sex drive. While opponents say low libido in women is often not a medical problem and the drug's benefits do not outweigh its side effects.

"This drug can cause sudden unconsciousness. It can cause nausea and sedation and excessive sleepiness," said PharmedOut Director Adriane Fugh-Berman.

The little pink pill was originally tested as an anti-depressant.

Unlike Viagra, this drug does not treat physical symptoms of sexual dysfunction – instead it affects the mind.

This was the FDA's third time considering Flibanserin in five years.

In June, an FDA Advisory Panel voted to recommend approving the drug if the manufacturer took steps to limit the risks involved.

The pill could be available as early as mid-October.

The drug will carry a boxed warning to highlight the potential side effects. The FDA said that's because of a potentially serious interaction with alcohol.

The pill will only be available through certified health care professionals and certified pharmacies.