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Incidence of sexual dysfunction in healthy volunteers on fluvoxamine therapy
A N Nafziger1, J S Bertino, A I Goss-Bley
1Clinical Pharmacology Research Center and Department of Medicine, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY 13326-1394, USA. nafziger@iex.net
Background:
Current literature suggests that the incidence of sexual dysfunction secondary to fluvoxamine therapy is 1% to 8%, while other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have rates as high as 75%. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of sexual dysfunction secondary to fluvoxamine in healthy volunteers.
Method:
20 healthy volunteers (10 men, 10 premenopausal women) had adverse effects assessed at 6 visits while not receiving fluvoxamine, then twice while taking 150 mg fluvoxamine daily. Assessments occurred at 2-week intervals. Incidence rates for sexual dysfunction were calculated.
Results:
No sexual dysfunction was reported prior to fluvoxamine therapy. After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of therapy respectively, sexual dysfunction occurred in 20% (N = 4) and 35% (N = 7) of the healthy volunteers.
Conclusion:
The incidence of sexual dysfunction during fluvoxamine therapy in healthy volunteers is 35%. This incidence is higher than previously reported and similar to that of other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.