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Can antidepressants such as Prozac cause sexual dysfunction?

Serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a group of antidepressant drugs including fluoxetine (brand name >Prozac), sertraline (>Zoloft), paroxetine (>Paxil), fluvoxamine (>Luvox), and citalopram (>Celexa). At least 30 percent to 60 percent of people taking SSRIs have reported sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is a general term for symptoms such as decreased sex drive, difficulty with erections, loss of sexual sensation, inability to reach orgasm, painful ejaculation, and vaginal dryness.

There are several ways to regain normal sexual function while taking antidepressants. Normal sexual function can return on its own as antidepressant therapy is continued in some cases. Another approach is to reduce the antidepressant dose, although this should only be tried under the close supervision of your doctor.

Changing to a different type of antidepressant drug is another option. >Bupropion (>Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine >(Remeron) are antidepressants with few or no reported sexual side effects. If you're taking antidepressants and experiencing any symptoms of sexual dysfunction, talk with your doctor so that he or she can recommend appropriate changes in your medications.

If you're taking antidepressants and experiencing any symptoms of sexual dysfunction, talk with your doctor so that he or she can recommend appropriate changes in your medications.

Sources:
Segraves, R .T. "Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction," Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 59 (1998).
Sussman, N. "The Role of Antidepressants in Sexual Dysfunction," Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Monograph 17 (1999).
Gutierrez, M. "Management of and Counseling for Psychotropic Drug-Induced Sexual Dysfunction," Pharmacotherapy 19 (1999).
Rosen, R. "Effects of SSRIs on Sexual Function: A Critical Review," Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 19 (1999).
Segraves, R.T. “Evaluation of Sexual Functioning in Depressed Outpatients: a Double-blind Comparison of Sustained-release Bupropion and Sertraline Treatment,” Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 20 (2000).
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 8/13/2001.
This information updated 11/30/2006.

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