OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mirtazapine augmentation in patients with sexual dysfunction induced by current selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment. METHODS: Forty-nine outpatients in remission from major depressive disorder with SSRI treatment and experiencing treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction were invited to participate and 33 (25 women and 8 men) were included in this 8-week open-label study. All patients continued her/his current SSRI treatment (dosages unchanged) and started on mirtazapine augmentation of 15 mg/day during the first week and 30 mg/day throughout the rest of the study. The Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D), the psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction questionnaire (PRSexDQ), and the Golombok and Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were given to all patients at baseline and at each follow-up (end of the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eight weeks). RESULTS: Mirtazapine augmentation led to significant reductions in HAM-D, PRSexDQ, and GRISS scores throughout the study especially after week 4 and 48.5% of patients (n = 16) reported that they had no overall sexual dysfunction at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Mirtazapine augmentation is a good choice for the treatment of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and the results are typically seen later after 4-8 weeks. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of mirtazapine augmentation in patients with sexual dysfunction induced by current selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment. METHODS: Forty-nine outpatients in remission from major depressive disorder with SSRI treatment and experiencing treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction were invited to participate and 33 (25 women and 8 men) were included in this 8-week open-label study. All patients continued her/his current SSRI treatment (dosages unchanged) and started on mirtazapine augmentation of 15 mg/day during the first week and 30 mg/day throughout the rest of the study. The Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D), the psychotropic-related sexual dysfunction questionnaire (PRSexDQ), and the Golombok and Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) were given to all patients at baseline and at each follow-up (end of the first, second, fourth, sixth, and eight weeks). RESULTS:Mirtazapine augmentation led to significant reductions in HAM-D, PRSexDQ, and GRISS scores throughout the study especially after week 4 and 48.5% of patients (n = 16) reported that they had no overall sexual dysfunction at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS:Mirtazapine augmentation is a good choice for the treatment of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and the results are typically seen later after 4-8 weeks. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Margaret D Eugenio; Sang-Eun Jun; Kevin C Cain; Monica E Jarrett; Margaret M Heitkemper Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 3.199