Sildenafil Treatment of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor-Induced Sexual Dysfunction

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants (SRIs) are reported to cause decreases in sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm. Augmentation strategies proposed to reduce SRI-induced sexual dysfunction include cyproheptadine, yohimbine, amantadine, stimulants, buspirone, bupropion, and Ginkgo biloba. Drug holiday also has been forwarded as a treatment option. Spontaneous remission of SRI-induced sexual dysfunction is uncommon: reports suggest that this occurs in from 5.8% of patients within 6 months to 9.8% of patients followed up to 38 months on continuing treatment.