Abstract:
Flibanserin is a multifunctional serotonergic (5-HT) medication that acts as a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. Findings from in vitro studies suggest it decreases serotonin and increases dopamine and norepinephrine activity in select regions of the cerebral cortex. Although only approved in the U.S. to treat premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), a condition estimated to affect 1 in 10 women in the U.S., clinical studies in postmenopausal women have shown similar safety and efficacy.
Patients with HSDD at our women’s health specialty clinic treated with flibanserin have reported weight loss. In addition, there are reports of weight loss secondary to flibanserin in the literature. Therefore, to further explore weight changes during flibanserin treatment at our clinic, we included weight as an objective in a retrospective electronic health record (EHR) review study of women with HSDD/low libido treated with flibanserin between September 1, 2015, to August 31, 2020.
Weight is captured at our clinical as a vital sign during routine follow-up visits and served as the data source for weight measurements in the study. We evaluated valid weight changes for women with documented flibanserin usage. Flibanserin usage was confirmed by reviewing patient free text encounter notes and clinician assessment notes. For a weight change to be considered valid in the study, the change must have occurred during documented flibanserin usage and have a baseline measurement (i.e., before starting flibanserin) and treatment duration or stop date. In addition, we reviewed patient medication lists to determine if any concomitant medications may have contributed to weight changes. It is important to note that medications prescribed outside our EHR are not captured in the patient's medication list.
Audience Take Away:
- Describe the role of flibanserin in the treatment of HSDD in women with obesity concerned about weight gain secondary to flibanserin treatment.
- Summarize average weight changes observed during flibanserin treatment among women with HSDD treated at a women’s health specialty clinic.
- Discuss the prevalence of HSDD and weight gain among women as they transition through menopause as observed at a women’s health specialty clinic.
- Discuss the value and limitations of retrospective EHR review studies to capture real-world patient data.
