Posted by Bill LL on November 1, 2004, at 13:43:31
In reply to Effexor XR and male sexual difficulties, posted by Steve_M on October 29, 2004, at 9:56:42
For some people, that side effect gradually diminishes. But others continue to have sexual side effects on Effexor and on the various SSRI drugs.
It seems that at least for males, the most effective treatment is Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra. The only effective over the counter remedy that I know of is yohimbine. But it causes a fair amount of jitteriness.
Some people have success augmenting with Wellbutrin, Remeron, or Buspar.
> Based on what I've read, I have gone on to Effexor fairly quickly - from 0 to 150mg in about 2 weeks; and I've now been at the 150mg level for about 3 weeks. I've experienced several side effects (edginess, spaciness, nausea and/or loss of appetite, etc) and my doctor decided, yesterday, to move me back down to 112.5mg and see if things don't improve.
>
> I've experienced a pronounced loss of sex drive, though. I'm less interested in sex, it's more difficult to attain/maintain an erection, it takes a long time to reach climax, and ejaculation is often NOT accompanied by orgasm.
>
> Will this improve after I become more stabilized with the Effexor? Has anyone found any "tricks" to circumvent some or all of these difficulties?
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> Don't get me wrong. The Effexor works! Depression symptoms are dramatically reduced and severe PTSD anxiety events are starting to become much more manageable. I am *not* inclined to make any changes in medication or dosage.
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> I was just wondering if anyone had discovered any tricks for reducing the sexual side effects - diet, other medications or compounds, etc.
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> Thanks for the input!
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>
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poster:Bill LL
thread:408728
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041029/msgs/410113.html