title: A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study of ephedrine for SSRI-induced female sexual dysfunction.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether ephedrine, an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist previously shown to enhance genital blood flow in women, has beneficial effects in reversing antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. Nineteen sexually dysfunctional women receiving either fluoxetine, sertraline, or paroxetine participated in an eight-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of the effects of ephedrine (50 mg) on self-report measures of sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. Although there were significant improvements relative to baseline in sexual desire and orgasm intensity/pleasure on 50 mg ephedrine 1-hr prior to sexual activity, significant improvements in these measures, as well as in sexual arousal and orgasmic ability also were noted with placebo. These findings highlight the importance of conducting placebo-controlled trials for this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. meston@psy.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Cindy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Meston
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004809:Ephedrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000009:adverse effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000009:adverse effects; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004809:Ephedrine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline