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Antidepressant Induced Sexual Dysfunction

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Antidepressant Induced Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Side Effects of Antidepressant Medications

  • See Also
  1. Depression Medical Management
  2. Sexual Dysfunction from Medications
  3. Erectile Dysfunction Causes
  • Causes
  1. See Medication Induced Sexual Dysfunction
  2. Tricyclic Antidepressants
  3. MAO Inhibitors
  4. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
    1. Fluoxetine (54% incidence Sexual Dysfunction)
    2. Sertraline (56% incidence Sexual Dysfunction)
    3. Paroxetine (65% incidence Sexual Dysfunction)
    4. Escitalopram
      1. Trends toward increased Sexual Dysfunction (although question this, as Citalopram does not)
  • Management
  • Approach
  1. Observe for 4 to 6 weeks for adverse effects to subside
    1. Often Sexual Dysfunction improves with anxiety and depressed mood treatment
  2. Adjust current Antidepressant dosing
    1. Decrease Antidepressant dosage
    2. Alter timing of daily dose
    3. Consider 2 day drug holiday
      1. Sertraline (Zoloft)
      2. Paroxetine (Paxil)
      3. Not effective for Fluoxetine (Prozac)
  3. Consider adjunctive therapy (see below)
  4. Substitute another Antidepressant
    1. Minimal to no Sexual Dysfunction
      1. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
      2. Mirtazapine (Remeron)
    2. Low risk of Sexual Dysfunction (10-15%)
      1. Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
      2. Citalopram (Celexa)
      3. Venlafaxine (Effexor)
    3. Other expensive options
      1. Trintellix (Vortioxetine)
      2. Viibryd (Vilazodone)
  • Management
  • Adjunctive therapy to improve sexual function
  1. Approach to specific Sexual Dysfunction problems
    1. Orgasm: all of the agents below
    2. Libido: Amantadine, Periactin, Yohimbine
    3. Erection: Sildenafil (Viagra), Amantadine, Buspar, Periactin, Yohimbine
    4. Low desire: Bupropion
  2. As Needed dosing
    1. Sildenafil (Viagra) 25-50 mg PO 0.5 to 4 hours before sexual activity
      1. Numberg (2003) JAMA 289:56-64 [PubMed]
    2. Amantadine 100 to 400 mg PO prn 2 days before coitus
    3. Bupropion 75-150 mg PO prn 1 to 2 hours before coitus
    4. Periactin 4-12 mg PO prn 1 to 2 hours before coitus
    5. Dexedrine 5-20 mg PO prn 1 to 2 hours before coitus
    6. Yohimbine 5.4-10.8 mg prn 1 to 2 hours before coitus
  3. Daily Dosing
    1. Amantadine 75-100 mg PO bid to tid
    2. Bupropion 75 mg PO bid to tid
    3. Dexedrine 2.5 to 5 mg bid to tid
    4. Pemoline 18.75 mg PO qd
    5. Yohimbine 5.4 mg PO tid
  4. Avoid other medications with low efficacy (not recommended)
    1. Buspar
    2. Addyi (Flibanserin)
    3. Vyleesi (bremelanotide)
  • References
  1. Montejo-Gonzalez (1997) J Sex Marital Ther 23:176 [PubMed]
  2. Moore (Jan 1999) Hosp Pract, p. 89-96 [PubMed]
  3. Labbate (1998) J Sex Marital Ther 24:3 [PubMed]
  4. Rieichenpfader (2014) Drug Saf 37(1): 19-31 [PubMed]