Switching to Moclobemide to Reverse Fluoxetine-induced Sexual Dysfunction in Patients with Depression

Overview

Journal J Psychiatry Neurosci

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 1999 Feb 13

PMID 9987207

Citations 2

Authors

R Ramasubbu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of substituting moclobemide, a reversible monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor, for fluoxetine to reverse fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in patients with depression.

Design: Prospective open trial.

Setting: Outpatient treatment.

Participants: Five patients with depressive disorder who experienced sexual side effects during treatment with standard doses of fluoxetine (20 to 40 mg per day).

Intervention: Discontinuation of fluoxetine and replacement with moclobemide (300 to 600 mg per day) after a 2-week washout period.

Outcome Measures: Libido, orgasmic function (in women) or erectile and ejaculatory function (in men), and overall improvement in sexual function during a follow-up period of 2 months to 3 years.

Results: Among patients receiving fluoxetine questioned about sexual side effects, 4 (1 man and 3 women) had treatment-related diminished libido with poor orgasmic response or partial erectile failure, and 1 female patient had enhanced sexual desire with intense clitoral stimulation. In all patients, sexual disturbances resolved completely after a 2-week washout period and a switch to treatment with moclobemide. Moclobemide was well tolerated. The antidepressant effect of moclobemide was comparable to that of fluoxetine.

Conclusions: Moclobemide may be preferred as a treatment for depression in patients with fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction.

Citing Articles

Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunctions due to antidepressants: A primer on assessment and management strategies.

Tripathi A, Agrawal A, Joshi M Indian J Psychiatry. 2024; 66(3):293-303.

PMID: 39100123 PMC: 11293283. DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_784_23.

Moclobemide: therapeutic use and clinical studies.

Bonnet U CNS Drug Rev. 2003; 9(1):97-140.

PMID: 12595913 PMC: 6741704. DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2003.tb00245.x.

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