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Sexual side effects of antidepressant drugs

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Abstract

Sexual functioning often suffers during depression, although depressed people continue to value sex. Many popular antidepressants further impair sexual functioning, with highly serotonergic agents affecting orgasm and libido prominently. This paper addresses clinical assessment of sexual side effects from antidepressant drugs and reviews treatment strategies, including purported antidotes. We pay particular attention to sildenafil, on which there are impressive data and ongoing controlled studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Arizona Health Sciences Center, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, PO Box 245002, 85724-5002, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Alan J. Gelenberg MD, Pedro Delgado MD & H. George Nurnberg MD

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  1. Alan J. Gelenberg MD
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  2. Pedro Delgado MD
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  3. H. George Nurnberg MD
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Gelenberg, A.J., Delgado, P. & Nurnberg, H.G. Sexual side effects of antidepressant drugs. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2, 223–227 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-996-0012-4

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