Treatment of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction

This article reviews the prevalence of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction and the strategies available for managing sexual adverse events. A high incidence of sexual dysfunction has been observed in patients treated with antidepressants. In particular, it has been reported in more than half of the patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. There are various pharmacotherapeutic strategies that can lead to reversal of sexual dysfunction. This article will review clinical studies on pharmacotherapeutic agents used to treat antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction, as well as agents used to treat depression with a favorable sexual side-effect profile. Because sexual dysfunction can lead to treatment noncompliance and depression relapse, this is an issue that should be addressed by clinicians at initiation and throughout the course of treatment.