Assessment of sexual functioning in depressed patients treated with mirtazapine: a naturalistic 6-month study
by
Saiz-Ruiz J, Montes JM, Ibanez A, Diaz M, Vicente F, Pelegrin C,
Vinas R, Arias F, Carrasco JL, Ferrando L.
Ramon y Cajal Research Group,
Alcala University, Madrid, Spain.
Hum Psychopharmacol. 2005 Aug;20(6):435-40


ABSTRACT

Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect which may greatly contribute to treatment non compliance. Mirtazapine has a pharmacological profile expected to result in a lack of sexual dysfunction. The main purpose of this 6-month open-label study was to evaluate the effects of mirtazapine on sexual function of a sample of depressed patients.METHODS: Seventy-eight patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for major depression or adjustment disorder with depressed mood or with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, sexually active prior to the episode, were treated with mirtazapine (15-60 mg/day). Effectiveness was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D-17), the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAM-A) and the clinical global impression (severity and improvement) scales (CGI). Sexual function was evaluated with the psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction questionnaire (PRSexDQ) which detects clinical changes in sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (61.5%) were experiencing sexual dysfunction at baseline. A return to normal sexual functioning was observed in 27 of 38 (71.1%) patients completing the study. Significant reductions in mean total PRSexDQ scores were detected at day 90 and endpoint and only four patients withdrew or required dose reduction due to mirtazapine-induced sexual dysfunction. A total of 37 patients (47.4%) achieved complete remission of depression (HAM-D-17 score < /= 7) at endpoint. Only seven patients (9.0%) withdrew the study because of adverse events. CONCLUSION: Mirtazapine showed in this study that it is an effective and well-tolerated antidepressant treatment with a possibly lower incidence of sexual side effects than other antidepressants.
Mirtazapine
Melancholy
Severe depression
Retarded depression
Mirtazapine and sleep
Mirtazapine : structure
Mirtazapine and memory
Mirtazapine v venlafaxine
Mirtazapine: clinical profile
Imipramine and depression
Antidepressant mechanisms
Mirtazapine: adverse side-effects
Mirtazapine (Remeron)-induced spontaneous orgasms
How effective are commonly prescribed antidepressants?


Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Good Drug Guide

The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family