FDA approves drug for loss of female sexual desire

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Palatin Technologies Inc and Amag Pharmaceuticals Inc's drug to restore sexual desire in premenopausal women, Amag said.

The drug, Vyleesi, is the latest effort to come up with a treatment that some have dubbed a "female Viagra," most of which have failed. Analysts have said that a drug that safely and effectively treats loss of sexual desire in women could eventually reach annual sales approaching $1 billion.

Vyleesi, known chemically as bremelanotide, works by activating pathways in the brain involved in sexual desire and response, helping premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).