title: Sildenafil for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced erectile dysfunction in elderly male depressed patients.
abstract: Treatment with antidepressants, especially agents with potent serotonergic effects, is frequently associated with sexual side effects. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of sildenafil, a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, in the treatment of elderly men (n = 10; 70-81 years) with erectile dysfunction induced by antidepressant treatment for major depressive disorder. Eligible subjects were instructed to add sildenafil (25-50 mg/day) to their current drug treatment. Clinical assessment of erectile function was performed at beginning of treatment with sildenafil and at follow up, 4 weeks later. All patients reported an improvement of their erectile capacity, and in 7 out of 10 subjects, erectile function returned to a normal level. Sildenafil appears to be a safe and well-tolerated agent in elderly subjects. We noted side effects in 2 patients (flashes), but the side-effects were bothersome only to one patient (headache). It appears that sildenafil coadministration improves erectile dysfunction associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ongoing treatment in elderly patients.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011687:Purines; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents