Sexual functioning in depressed outpatients taking mirtazapine.
Depress Anxiety
; 9(4): 175-9, 1999.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10431683
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
One-third of patients with untreated depression have sexual difficulties manifested by decreased libido, erectile dysfunction or delayed ejaculation. This dysfunction may be exacerbated by stimulation of post-synaptic serotonin 5HT2 receptors, a side-effect of most widely-used antidepressant medications, especially the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Mirtazapine is an atypical antidepressant with alpha 2 adrenergic antagonist and serotonin 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptor-blocking activity. In theory, it should not worsen and perhaps may improve sexual function. This pilot study investigated sexual functioning and antidepressant activity in depressed patients taking mirtazapine. EXPERIMENTALDESIGN:
Twenty-five (F = 18, M = 7) sexually active adult outpatients with a DSM-IV-diagnosis of major depressive episode entered a 12-week, flexible-dosing, open-label pilot study. The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) assessed sexual functioning and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) assessed depressive symptoms on a bimonthly basis. PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS Desire, arousal/lubrication, and ease/satisfaction of orgasm improved (by 41%, 52%, and 48%, respectively) in the depressed women. In men, desire, arousal/erection, and ease/satisfaction of orgasm also improved (by 10%, 23% and 14%, respectively) but much more modestly. HAM-D, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) scores improved in both groups. There was a 50% dropout rate among women before six weeks of treatment. However, the ASEX and HAM-D scores of the groups terminating before and after six weeks of treatment showed similar rates of improvement.CONCLUSIONS:
Mirtazapine has a beneficial effect on sexual functioning in both depressed women and men. Longer-term double-blind research assessing sexual function during the administration of mirtazapine as well as other antidepressants is recommended.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
/
Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological
/
Depressive Disorder, Major
/
Ambulatory Care
/
Mianserin
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Depress Anxiety
Journal subject:
PSIQUIATRIA
Year:
1999
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States