Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
14:55
Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
[Sexual dysfunction secondary to SSRIs. A comparative analysis in 308 patients]
Actas Luso-Espanolas De Neurologia, Psiquiatria Y Ciencias Afines
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) significantly increase sexual dysfunction (SD) incidence, particularly paroxetine. Reducing SSRI dosage or switching to other antidepressants like Moclobemide can improve sexual function.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Sexual Medicine
Background:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders.
- Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common, yet often underreported, side effect of SSRI treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and types of sexual dysfunction associated with different SSRIs.
- To investigate the qualitative and quantitative changes in sexual dysfunction over time during SSRI treatment.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 308 outpatients (169 women, 139 men) using a purpose-designed sexual dysfunction questionnaire.
- Included patients with normal sexual function before SSRIs, treated exclusively or with benzodiazepines, and excluded those with prior SD or specific co-medications/conditions.
Main Results:
- Direct physician inquiry revealed a higher SD incidence (55.29%) compared to spontaneous reporting (14.2%).
- Paroxetine showed significantly higher rates of delayed orgasm/ejaculation and impotence than fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, and sertraline (p < 0.05).
- SD correlated positively with SSRI dosage, with improvement upon dose reduction or drug withdrawal; men reported higher incidence, while women experienced more intense dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction is prevalent and often dose-dependent, with significant variations among agents.
- Physician-led inquiry is crucial for accurate SD assessment in patients on SSRIs.
- Alternative treatments like Moclobemide or Amineptine may offer improved sexual function for some patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:21G-protein Coupled Receptors
G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...
01:28Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...