Flibanserin
Flibanserin is a non-hormonal 5-HT serotonin receptor agonist that also acts as a partial dopamine D4 receptor agonist. An agonist is a class of drugs that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction. The drug increases the levels of dopamine and noradrenalin in the brain while taking down that of Serotonin’s; this affects sexual craving in women by making interactions possible between multiple neurotransmitters and sex hormones in the neurological pathway. These, together with various psychosocial factors, bring on the desired effect.
Mechanism of action:
Flibanserin’s preferential affinity for serotonin, dopamine and serotonin receptors make it act as an agonist, partially on dopamine receptors and as an antagonist on serotonin receptors. Its effects on adenylyl cyclase are radically different than of Buspirone or other anti-anxiety medications.
Flibanserin works by reducing the neurons’ firing rates in the brain cells, namely: The dorsal raphe, the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex. The reduction in cerebral cortex is mediated by the stimulated postsynaptic serotonin receptors, whereas the active cells are mediated by the stimulated dopamine receptors. Flibanserin’s capability to desensitize fast the somatic serotonin auto-receptors (within the dorsal raphe) enhances the tonic activation of the postsynaptic Serotonin receptors, thus reducing the production of serotonin at the extra-cellular levels of the cortex.
The drug’s antidepressant-qualities are brought about by its influence on the opioid receptors, though without consistent effects (such as anxiety). It also exerts a potential, antipsychotic effect along with some amount of sedation but without any sort of pharmacological toxicity.
Side effects:
Fatigue, Headache, Dizziness, Nausea, Urinary Tract Infections, Sinusitis and Diarrhea.
