Question:
Even though the package insert for Prozac and the Physicians Desk
Reference list no sexual side effects for Prozac when taken for
depression, a review of the current literature will tell you that from
40 to 80 per cent of patients expereience sexual dysfunction with the
SSRI's. For me, Prozac has caused a drastic reduction on libido, an
inability to sustain an erection, difficulty in achieving orgasm and
much less pleasurable sensation.
My psychiatrist recommended cutting the dosage of Prozac in half to 10
mg.day. This did not help. In fact, I had a relapse and went back to
20 mg a day of Prozac. He is now recommending adding 75 mg of
Wellbutrin SR per day to augment the Prozac and hopefuly relieve the
sexual dysfunction. I would really appretiate anyone who has taken
this combination letting me know if it worked to reverse the sexual
dusfunction. Also, I take 3 to 4 mg of Xanax a day to alleviate the
anxiety caused by the Prozac, and am therefore concerned about any
increased agitation caused by the addition of the Wellbutrin. My
psychiatrist said I was too concerned about increased agitation; he
stated I could simply increase the dosage of Xanax. However, he did
no realize I was taking 3 to 4 mg a day of Xanax. He had thought I
was taking three to 4 0.25 mg tablets a day rather than 3 to 4 mg even
though he wrote the prescription. He said he had failed to check my
chart when he approved the increase from 3 to 4 mg per day when I told
him that I was having a relapse.
Note: I had *no* sexual dysfuntion and minimal anxiety problems prior
to taking Prozac. My depression had no effect on these areas.
Also, interested in any other solutions people have attempted and
their results
Answer:
That's true about Remeron. It makes people fat too.
I'd suggest getting off Xanax - it's a benzodiazepine, and they're addictive.
Gingko biloba tablets may help with the sexual dysfunction side:
www.sexual-enhancement-gingko.com A sugary meal/drink may help.
http://www.sexual-enhancement-gingko.com/sexual-enhancement.htm
There is general agreement of a low risk associated with Ginkgo
extract
products. In one study , gingko biloba by itself, improved erectile
dysfunction in a group of impotent males after six months of use. The
discovery of Ginkgo biloba extract's (GBE) ability to reverse
antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction was reported in patients
studied over a 6-8 week period.
Five patients treated for DSM-IV diagnosis of Depression with an SSRI
(fluoxetine or sertraline) developed sexual dysfunction during the
course of their treatment. The three men in the study reported
anorgasmia, decreased libido, and erectile failure. The two women had
anorgasmia, delayed orgasm and decreased libido. Each patient was
started on a course of GBE 60 mg. (50:1 extract) twice a day.
In another study, each patient chose to continue the treatment for an
open ended period with clinical monitoring of symptoms. Three patients
described brief periods of discontinuation of the GBE with a
concomitant return of the ASD. The male patients,ages 45, 42, and 38,
each had a single episode of non- psychotic major depression. The
women, 48 and 49, had recurrent, unipolar depression, non-psychotic.
Both women also had Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Their thyroid indices
were
normal on replacement T-4. There were no other medical conditions, nor
substance abuse problems. Adverse reactions to the GBE were minimal
and
did not disrupt the treatment. Some gastro-intestinal complaints and
lightheadedness were reported. No abnormal bleeding nor bruising
occurred.
