Male sexual dysfunction in depressed men treated with fluoxetine versus escitalopram

Objective To evaluate male sexual dysfunction in depressed men treated with fluoxetine versus escitalopram. Background Among antidepressant drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are very commonly prescribed medications for these patients. Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of these antidepressants. Patients and methods This study was done on 40 married males at age of 18–60 years who were diagnosed with depression, 20 of them have received 20 mg/day of fluoxetine, while the other 20 have received 10 mg/day of escitalopram as a therapy for their depression for 3 months. All patients were subjected to history taking. Male sexual functions were evaluated by international index of erectile function (IIEF). Severity of depression was evaluated by beck depression inventory (BDI). Results No significant difference in baseline IIEF domain scores (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, and overall satisfaction) and total score between fluoxetine and escitalopram groups. The IIEF total score after 3-months was significantly lower in fluoxetine group compared with escitalopram group. However, there was no significant difference in sexual desire domain score between the studied groups. No significant difference in BDI score at baseline and after 3-months of treatment compared with baseline level between studied groups. Conclusion Fluoxetine exhibits more severe sexual dysfunction than escitalopram in male major depressive disorder patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors after 3 months of treatment. Fluoxetine had a lower IIEF total score than escitalopram after 3-months of treatment. Both fluoxetine and escitalopram had comparable effects on sexual desire domain score and BDI score.