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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
I have read and also seen a study that claimed that Luvox had the lowest incidence of sexual inhibition of all the SSRIS. I tried it earlier this year and can confirm this...my sex drive was through the roof... unfortunately it caused bad insomnia and I had to stop. Now I know not everyone will experience this effect on Luvox , but I am convinced it contains some property that causes less sexual side effects. So far I have found it lacks the 5ht2a binding or much less than the other SSRIs, and this may affect dopamine levels..ie Luvox may not decrease dopamine levels like other SSRIs.
Does anyone have any insight into the possible mechanism for its relative lack of sexual side effects and is there anything one can add to an SSRI (im on Lexapro) to restore sexual drive?
Thanx!
Posted by Phillipa on November 15, 2007, at 11:42:39
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
I know sex is so important to most of you but for some reason never has for me. Sad I know but it's a fact daughter said she's the same. But luvox is a strange med as when I tried to go off my small 50mg dose of luvox with valium and the pdoc then raised all the benzos didn't sleep for two weeks. In the Er the doc called the pdoc downtown in the big hospital. They decided there is something in luvox that evidently does something. I know it doesn't give me insomnia with the valium. So I wonder what the properties of luvox are that differ from other SSRI's? Only one I can take. Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on November 15, 2007, at 12:03:39
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
Some p-docs use buspar to counteract some of the side effects of the ssris.I read a book some years ago where a p-doc got good results with that stratagy.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 15, 2007, at 13:10:26
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
Here's an abstract on the role of ginkgo biloba in reversing sexual sides of ssris.
herb affecting drug toxicity: Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
• research: Sexual dysfunction, decreased sex drive, delayed ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasm are common side effects associated with taking fluoxetine and other SSRI drugs. In small studies involving both men and women using SSRI drugs, Dr. Alan Cohen, University of California at San Francisco, has found that an extract of Ginkgo biloba (240 mg per day) could effectively reverse many of these adverse side effects. Ellison and DeLuca have also reported success in using Ginkgo to counter adverse effects of fluoxetine upon genital sensation. Meanwhile, in related research, Sohn and Sikora have explored the efficacy of Ginkgo in the treatment of impotence.
(Cohen AJ. Psychiatry On-Line; Sohn M, Sikora R. J Sex Educ Ther 1991;17:53-61; Ellison JM, DeLuca P. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998 Apr;59(4):199-200.)• herbal support: Cohen recommends an initial dose of 60 mg Ginkgo, twice daily, gradually increasing up to 240 mg, twice daily. He noted that some patients have safely taken more than 500 mg in combination with their antidepressant treatments. Individuals taking fluoxetine should avoid the use of Ginkgo without consulting the prescribing physician and/or a healthcare professional trained in botanical medicine.
Posted by monkeysmama on November 15, 2007, at 21:13:58
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by bulldog2 on November 15, 2007, at 13:10:26
> Here's an abstract on the role of ginkgo biloba in reversing sexual sides of ssris.
>
> herb affecting drug toxicity: Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgo)
>
> • research: Sexual dysfunction, decreased sex drive, delayed ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasm are common side effects associated with taking fluoxetine and other SSRI drugs. In small studies involving both men and women using SSRI drugs, Dr. Alan Cohen, University of California at San Francisco, has found that an extract of Ginkgo biloba (240 mg per day) could effectively reverse many of these adverse side effects. Ellison and DeLuca have also reported success in using Ginkgo to counter adverse effects of fluoxetine upon genital sensation. Meanwhile, in related research, Sohn and Sikora have explored the efficacy of Ginkgo in the treatment of impotence.
> (Cohen AJ. Psychiatry On-Line; Sohn M, Sikora R. J Sex Educ Ther 1991;17:53-61; Ellison JM, DeLuca P. J Clin Psychiatry. 1998 Apr;59(4):199-200.)
>
> • herbal support: Cohen recommends an initial dose of 60 mg Ginkgo, twice daily, gradually increasing up to 240 mg, twice daily. He noted that some patients have safely taken more than 500 mg in combination with their antidepressant treatments. Individuals taking fluoxetine should avoid the use of Ginkgo without consulting the prescribing physician and/or a healthcare professional trained in botanical medicine.
>
>Thank you for this! I have really been struggling with these side effects
Posted by Iansf on November 15, 2007, at 23:23:59
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
If insomnia is the only side effect you were having with Luvox, I suggest you go back to it and add trazodone to help you sleep. For me, Luvox wiped out my sex life completely - no libido, no physical feeling, no erection - and it gave me insomnia. Trazodone eliminated the insomnia. So if I had had a positive rather than negative sexual reaction to Luvox, I would gladly have stayed with it. I suggest you give it another try while adding trazodone or other sleep aid.
Posted by yxibow on November 16, 2007, at 0:24:59
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by Iansf on November 15, 2007, at 23:23:59
> If insomnia is the only side effect you were having with Luvox, I suggest you go back to it and add trazodone to help you sleep. For me, Luvox wiped out my sex life completely - no libido, no physical feeling, no erection - and it gave me insomnia. Trazodone eliminated the insomnia. So if I had had a positive rather than negative sexual reaction to Luvox, I would gladly have stayed with it. I suggest you give it another try while adding trazodone or other sleep aid.
Just remember that Trazodone can give you unwanted erections, though that depends on the person. I suppose that's a balance and a risk. I survived them.
Posted by mikez on November 16, 2007, at 3:02:54
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive » Iansf, posted by yxibow on November 16, 2007, at 0:24:59
the ginkgo study done in 2004 to try to confirm Dr cohens findings did not hold up in double blind randomized trial in 2004.
I have heard about Buspar and possibe Requip as adjuncts? What do people think about these? If SSRIs lower dopamine (and raise prolactin) which is postulated to be the mechanism of sexual inhibition, then these drugs can very well RAISE dopamine and lower prolactin. I dont want to try wellbutrin as it causes insomnia but from reading user reviews on requip/buspar, the insomnia is MUCH less if nothing at all.
I also noticed on my brief trial with imipramine that my sex drive was very normal and great... that may have been due to its action on dopamine increase.
Posted by bulldog2 on November 16, 2007, at 16:23:44
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
Here's a good thread that sums up all the options.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/SSRI-sexual-dysfunction.html
Posted by Phillipa on November 16, 2007, at 18:41:51
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 16, 2007, at 3:02:54
I e-mail with someone from here that is now well due to requip .5mg and taking some geodon. And his sexual appetite is back. Phillipa
Posted by 1735south on November 17, 2007, at 23:00:40
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
To the men out there:
I take 400 mg of generic Luvox daily. It eradicates my disturbing, intrusive thoughts completely. It's a tremendous drug.
I recently began a sexual relationship with a woman. I can get an erection with no problem, but can ejaculate only occasionally and only after considerable effort.
I complained about this to my shrink. She put me on 300 mg of Buproprion daily. It has helped a little, but not much.
I do not want to reduce my dosage of Luvox. Every time I do, I experience a recurrence of bad thinking. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Posted by yxibow on November 18, 2007, at 1:15:07
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by 1735south on November 17, 2007, at 23:00:40
> To the men out there:
>
> I take 400 mg of generic Luvox daily. It eradicates my disturbing, intrusive thoughts completely. It's a tremendous drug.
>
> I recently began a sexual relationship with a woman. I can get an erection with no problem, but can ejaculate only occasionally and only after considerable effort.
>
> I complained about this to my shrink. She put me on 300 mg of Buproprion daily. It has helped a little, but not much.
>
> I do not want to reduce my dosage of Luvox. Every time I do, I experience a recurrence of bad thinking. Does anyone have any suggestions?300 sounds a bit high for adjunct therapy for sexual dysfunction especially with someone with OCD. At least in my experience it greatly aggravated night thinking, lessened sleep and set my head on fire but that's just my personal experience.
Luvox is by far an excellent drug for OCD and underused as is now generic (possibly due to manufacture a** protection from the Columbine incident)
Posted by bulldog2 on November 18, 2007, at 15:02:19
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive » 1735south, posted by yxibow on November 18, 2007, at 1:15:07
> > To the men out there:
> >
> > I take 400 mg of generic Luvox daily. It eradicates my disturbing, intrusive thoughts completely. It's a tremendous drug.
> >
> > I recently began a sexual relationship with a woman. I can get an erection with no problem, but can ejaculate only occasionally and only after considerable effort.
> >
> > I complained about this to my shrink. She put me on 300 mg of Buproprion daily. It has helped a little, but not much.
> >
> > I do not want to reduce my dosage of Luvox. Every time I do, I experience a recurrence of bad thinking. Does anyone have any suggestions?
>
> 300 sounds a bit high for adjunct therapy for sexual dysfunction especially with someone with OCD. At least in my experience it greatly aggravated night thinking, lessened sleep and set my head on fire but that's just my personal experience.
>
> Luvox is by far an excellent drug for OCD and underused as is now generic (possibly due to manufacture a** protection from the Columbine incident)
>Here's a link with some options.
Here's a good thread that sums up all the options.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/SSRI-sexual-dysfunction.html
Posted by Dinah on November 18, 2007, at 15:25:27
In reply to Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by mikez on November 15, 2007, at 11:36:02
I did not get the same results *at all*.
Is it possible that you were a bit hypomanic? SSRI's can do that, can't they? I have that result with everything that ups norepinephrine, but not with Luvox. Both increased sexual drive and insomnia can be related to that. I always take a very hard look at my meds when my sex drive goes through the roof, for something that may be a bit too activating. My second pdoc added a smidge of mood stabilizer and I did much better.
Posted by cactus on November 20, 2007, at 21:16:59
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive » mikez, posted by Dinah on November 18, 2007, at 15:25:27
Hears my experience with it, I complained to my GP that the different ssri's were killing my sex life so he put me on luvox. He then told me that once you go over 150mg daily you will encounter the same effect as all the other ssri's. (ie no sex drive) This was true, by the time I had reach 300mg daily, nada!!! I got a good 10 months out of that drug, which is long for me and as for ropinirole(requip) and ssri's. Whoa baby, you will have a very happy partner!!! If you take the ropinirole(DA) route start at a very low dose and titrate up slowly like the doctor tells you too or you will puke you guts up. There is no need to get on a high dose quickly because it works very within a couple of days. G**k luck!!!
Posted by bulldog2 on November 21, 2007, at 15:42:34
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by cactus on November 20, 2007, at 21:16:59
> Hears my experience with it, I complained to my GP that the different ssri's were killing my sex life so he put me on luvox. He then told me that once you go over 150mg daily you will encounter the same effect as all the other ssri's. (ie no sex drive) This was true, by the time I had reach 300mg daily, nada!!! I got a good 10 months out of that drug, which is long for me and as for ropinirole(requip) and ssri's. Whoa baby, you will have a very happy partner!!! If you take the ropinirole(DA) route start at a very low dose and titrate up slowly like the doctor tells you too or you will puke you guts up. There is no need to get on a high dose quickly because it works very within a couple of days. G**k luck!!!
So ropinirole plus your ssri completely did away with an ssri induced sides?
Posted by cactus on November 21, 2007, at 16:23:26
In reply to Re: Luvox mechanism for sex drive, posted by bulldog2 on November 21, 2007, at 15:42:34
no, it was while I was on zoloft but I can't see why it wouldn't work with any other SSRI
This is the end of the thread.
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