Survey of treatment practices for sexual dysfunction(s) associated with anti-depressants.
There are many management strategies and antidotes available for sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants available. However, only a few of these strategies and antidotes were tested in rigorous trials and most of them probably will not be rigorously tested. Surveying the prescribing practices of experts in this area provides another opportunity to evaluate these strategies and antidotes. The authors surveyed 29 (of 50) "expert" psychiatrists in the area of sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressants. Switching to another antidepressant, decreasing the dose of an antidepressant, and adding oral agents such as bupropion, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and some dopaminergic agents (dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate) and a testosterone patch in some dysfunctions (libido, orgasm) are management strategies most frequently used by the experts. The experts also consider these strategies as the most effective ones. These findings are compared with other studies and discussed with regard to the evidence from clinical trials.
Balon
Richard
R
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA. rbalon@wayne.edu
Segraves
R Taylor
RT
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D013739:Testosterone