The selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors fluvoxamine and paroxetine differ in sexual inhibitory effects after chronic treatment.
BACKGROUND
The selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) delay orgasm and ejaculation in men. In men with rapid ejaculation it was shown that, of the SSRIs, paroxetine exerted the strongest delay in ejaculation and fluvoxamine the weakest.


OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we compared the acute and chronic effects of fluvoxamine and paroxetine on sexual behavior in the male rat in order to compare their differential inhibitory effects on sexual behavior.


METHODS
During a 4-week period, 48 male Wistar rats, selected on the basis of their sexual performance, were repeatedly tested for sexual behavior. All male rats received vehicle (saline, n=12), fluvoxamine (30 mg/kg, n=12), or paroxetine (10 mg/kg, n=12) daily for 2 weeks. Sexual behavioral tests were performed on days 1 (acute), 7, and 14.


RESULTS
After acute oral administration, fluvoxamine and paroxetine did not inhibit sexual behavior. After 7 days and 14 days treatment, fluvoxamine mildly inhibited certain parameters of sexual behavior but ejaculation was never delayed. In contrast, paroxetine, after 7 days and particularly after 14 days treatment, strongly inhibited sexual behavior, including ejaculation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results strongly concur with clinical data, suggesting that paroxetine, but not fluvoxamine, delays ejaculation. Because fluvoxamine does not delay ejaculation it may serve as an optimal treatment for depressive illness when sexual side effects, such as a delayed ejaculation, are undesired. The mechanisms whereby paroxetine and fluvoxamine, both being selective serotonin uptake inhibitors, differentially inhibit sexual behavior are unclear.
Waldinger
Marcel D
MD
Department of Psychopharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences and Utrecht Institute for Parmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
van De Plas
Afke
A
Pattij
Tommy
T
van Oorschot
Ruud
R
Coolen
Lique M
LM
Veening
Jan G
JG
Olivier
Berend
B
D000818:Animals; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D016666:Fluvoxamine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors