The first drug to treat low sexual desire in women has been finally approved by the US health regulators on Tuesday highlighting some of its side effects which include potentially dangerous low blood pressure and fainting.

The US Food and Drug Administration said in a statement that the pink pill will be sold under the brand name of Addyi. The drug is being made by privately held Sprout Pharmaceuticals and will be available through certified and specially trained health care professionals and pharmacies.

The chemical name of Addyi is flibanserin and is designed specifically for premenopausal women whose lack of sexual desire causes distress. The condition is formally known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

“This is the biggest breakthrough in women’s sexual health since the advent of ‘the Pill’ for contraception. It validates (and) legitimizes female sexuality as an important component of health”, the National Consumers League said in a statement.

Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group that testified against the drug earlier this year affirmed that Addyi will be out from the market within a few years due to serious side effects associated with its use.

The drug has been nicknamed as ‘female Viagra’ in media reports, even though it does not work like Pfizer Inc’s blockbuster Viagra pill for men.

The latest decision of the approval has come after an advisory panel concluded in June that it should be approved with strict measures in place to ensure patients are fully aware of the risks.