title: Psychostimulants apparently reverse sexual dysfunction secondary to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.
abstract: Sexual dysfunction secondary to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is an almost universal, yet pooly understood phenomenon. Not uncommonly, this unpleasant side effect leads to noncompliance. Since SSRIs have been so successful clinically, it is time to find a safe and effective treatment for this side effect. This paper reports on five cases in which low dosages of the psychostimulants, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate, administered on a p.r.n. basis, reversed the sexually inhibiting side effects of the SSRIs fluxetine, setraline, and paroxetine in patients with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In addition, the women experienced enhanced levels of arousal, orgasmic sensation and excitement during the resolution phase (afterglow) of the sexual response cycle on psychostimulants, and the men noted firmer erections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Bartlik
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors