Comparison of moclobemide with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on sexual function in depressed adults. The Australian and German Study Groups.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the emergent sexual effects of moclobemide and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during acute and maintenance therapy in routine practice.


METHODS
268 patients were evaluated for sexual function at baseline, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months of treatment using physician ratings and self-rating questionnaires. Patients received moclobemide, an reversible monoamine oxidase A inhibitor (RIMA), or a SSRI (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline).


RESULTS
Baseline values were similar in all groups. Incidences of impairments of sexual functioning with treatment, whether clinically relevant or not, were 24.3% with moclobemide and 61.5% with SSRIs (physician ratings), with no significant tolerance to these effects. There was a suggestion of differences between the SSRIs in their specific dysfunctions they cause. SSRIs (21.6% of patients) had about ten times the moclobemide rate (1.9%) of sexual dysfunction reported as adverse events. Antidepressant efficacy was comparable between treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients for whom sexual function is important or sexual dysfunction is present, moclobemide should be considered a first line antidepressant.
Philipp
M
M
Bezirkskrankenhaus Landshut, Klinik für Psychiatrie/Psychotherapie, D-84034, Landshut, Germany. phillip-landshut@t-online.de
Tiller
J W
JW
Baier
D
D
Kohnen
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020912:Moclobemide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005473:Fluoxetine; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D020912:Moclobemide; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline