Influence of weight reduction by sibutramine on female sexual function.
BACKGROUND
It is well known that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can cause sexual dysfunction, so it is possible that sibutramine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, could induce sexual dysfunction.


METHODS
The effect of sibutramine on sexual function was evaluated in 46 overweight and obese (body mass index (BMI) > or = 23 kg/m2) but otherwise healthy married women (28-44 years). Participants were randomly assigned at baseline to either the sibutramine or control group. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire was used to assess sexual function at baseline and after treatment with behavioral therapy plus sibutramine 10 mg once daily or behavioral therapy alone (control) for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
Mean weight loss from baseline to week 8 was -6.03% in sibutramine group and -0.38% in the control group. There was significant improvement of FSFI total score, arousal domain score and lubrication domain score in the sibutramine group (P<0.05), and significant differences in arousal, orgasm, satisfaction domain score and total score (P<0.05) in favor of sibutramine. Decreases in body weight and BMI were correlated with the improvement of arousal (r = -0.44 and r = -0.48, respectively) and orgasm (r = -0.45 and r = -0.46, respectively) domains.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with sibutramine plus behavioral therapy did not induce sexual dysfunction and sibutramine-induced weight reduction appeared to have a positive impact on sexual function in this small group of overweight and moderately obese women. The degree of improvement in sexual function was correlated with the degree of weight reduction.
Kim
K K
KK
Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seodaemoon-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Kang
H C
HC
Kim
S S
SS
Youn
B B
BB
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001067:Appetite Depressants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D001823:Body Composition; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003503:Cyclobutanes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001067:Appetite Depressants; D003503:Cyclobutanes; C058254:sibutramine