Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction: efficacy of a drug holiday.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether weekend drug holidays would improve sexual functioning in recovered depressed patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced sexual dysfunction.


METHODS
Thirty outpatients who reported worsening of sexual functioning during SSRI treatment were instructed to discontinue their SSRIs after the Thursday morning dose and to restart the SSRIs (at their previous dosage) on Sunday at 12:00 noon for four weekends.


RESULTS
Significant improvement in sexual functioning was reported by the patients taking sertraline and paroxetine but not by those taking fluoxetine. There were no statistically significant increases in mean Hamilton depression scores after discontinuation of the SSRIs; two patients had increases in scores from the 4-8 range to the 10-14 range.


CONCLUSIONS
For some patients taking sertraline and paroxetine who experience sexual dysfunction side effects, brief drug holidays may allow for significant improvement in sexual functioning without a significant return of depressive symptoms.
Rothschild
A J
AJ
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020280:Sertraline; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline