The effects of antidepressants on sexual functioning in depressed patients: a review.
Sexual dysfunction has long been noted as both a symptom of depressive illness and as a side effect of many of the medications used to treat depression. Although most people suffering from a major depressive illness would like to be sexually active, half experience a decrease in desire or sexual performance. Antidepressant medications often interfere with several parts of the sexual response. This review compares data from different types of research into the effect of antidepressant medications on the sexual response: case reports, chart reviews, and single- and double-blind studies with and without active control medications. From this review, it is clear that antidepressants of most classes interfere with human sexual functioning, with the notable exceptions of bupropion and nefazodone.
Ferguson
J M
JM
Pharmacology Research Clinic-Salt Lake City, Utah 84107, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016642:Bupropion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D016642:Bupropion; D005473:Fluoxetine; D010879:Piperazines; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline; D014230:Triazoles; C051752:nefazodone