abstract

• Sexual side effects of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as antidepressant-associated erectile dysfunction, are common and negatively impact treatment compliance. Current management approaches have important limitations, and most lack clear and meaningful efficacy in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. A MEDLINE search (English language, 1966-2003) was performed using the terms antidepressive agents, erectile dysfunction, and sildenafil. Emphasis was placed on studies that used specific sexual function measurements and were placebo controlled. Sildenafil citrate, a selective and competitive inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5, enhances the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-mediated relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscles in response to sexual stimulation, permitting vascular engorgement and penile erection. The efficacy and tolerability of sildenafil in the treatment of antidepressant-associated erectile dysfunction have been confirmed in double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

authors

• George Nurnberg, MD
• Paula Hensley, MD

publication date

• January 1, 2003

published in

• The Journal of clinical psychiatry  Journal

keywords

• 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases
• Adult
• Antidepressive Agents
• Attitude to Health
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Comorbidity
• Depressive Disorder
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
• Piperazines
• Purines
• Questionnaires
• Sulfones
• Treatment Outcome

PubMed ID

• 12971812

start page

• 20

end page

• 25

volume

• 64 Suppl 10

number