Incidence of sexual dysfunction in healthy volunteers on fluvoxamine therapy.

BACKGROUND

Current literature suggests that the incidence of sexual dysfunction secondary to fluvoxamine therapy is 1% to 8%, while other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have rates as high as 75%. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of sexual dysfunction secondary to fluvoxamine in healthy volunteers.

METHOD

20 healthy volunteers (10 men, 10 premenopausal women) had adverse effects assessed at 6 visits while not receiving fluvoxamine, then twice while taking 150 mg fluvoxamine daily. Assessments occurred at 2-week intervals. Incidence rates for sexual dysfunction were calculated.

RESULTS

No sexual dysfunction was reported prior to fluvoxamine therapy. After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of therapy respectively, sexual dysfunction occurred in 20% (N = 4) and 35% (N = 7) of the healthy volunteers.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of sexual dysfunction during fluvoxamine therapy in healthy volunteers is 35%. This incidence is higher than previously reported and similar to that of other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.