title: Sildenafil citrate for the management of antidepressant-associated erectile dysfunction.
abstract: Sexual side effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as antidepressant-associated erectile dysfunction, are common and negatively impact treatment compliance. Current management approaches have important limitations, and most lack clear and meaningful efficacy in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. A MEDLINE search (English language, 1966-2003) was performed using the terms antidepressive agents, erectile dysfunction, and sildenafil. Emphasis was placed on studies that used specific sexual function measurements and were placebo controlled. Sildenafil citrate, a selective and competitive inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5, enhances the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-mediated relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscles in response to sexual stimulation, permitting vascular engorgement and penile erection. The efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil in the treatment of antidepressant-associated erectile dysfunction have been confirmed in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131-52886, USA. geon@unm.edu
authors.forename: H George
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Nurnberg
authors.forename: Paula L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Hensley
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases