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| |  Viagra (Sildenafil) Effective For Women With Sexual Dysfunction Related to Antidepressant Therapy DETROIT, MI -- May 8, 2000 -- Results of a new study conducted by Detroit psychiatrist Dr. Albert Bayer, M.D., show unequivocally that the drug Viagra (sildenafil) is effective in treating women with sexual dysfunction related to antidepressant therapy. Although Viagra is commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction in males, scientific evidence supporting its use for the management of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women has been relatively non-existent. Sexual dysfunction has been well established as a side effect associated with antidepressant medication. Current estimates suggest that up to 70 percent of patients treated with antidepressants have experienced difficulties in one or more of the phases of sexual functioning including desire, arousal and orgasm. In this unique study, 21 adult female patients with major depression, who described treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction, were evaluated with a clinical interview using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX). All subjects were given ten 50 mg samples of Viagra and instructed to take one tablet sixty to ninety minutes prior to initiating sexual activity. After 90 days, the HAM-D and ASEX were repeated during a follow-up visit and subjective responses of the subjects were collected. According to the results, the subjects demonstrated statistically significant reduction in both the ASEX and HAM-D scores, indicating improvement of both sexual dysfunction and depressive symptoms. Subjective reports from the participants were equally robust. According to Dr. Bayer, many of the women who participated reported sexual functioning in terms of arousal and intensity of orgasm as far greater than they had experienced at any prior time in their lives. Their comments included "The experience is too great for words," and "Where has this medication been my whole life?" Only two women described mild facial flushing and a third woman reported mild nasal congestion. No other adverse events were described. Furthermore, none of the subjects wished to discontinue Viagra due to adverse effects. "Due to the limitations of this study and the results obtained, there are many implications for further studies including a placebo-controlled, double blind study to support the results of this trial," said Dr. Bayer. "In addition, a logical next step would include examining the efficacy of Viagra in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction not related to antidepressant use." Dr. Bayer is a faculty member of the Wayne State University Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences. He received his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, and his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his residency in Psychiatry at Sinai Hospital in Detroit and was Chief Resident in Psychiatry from 1989-90. He is board-certified in general adult psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and forensic medicine. Dr. Bayer has served as principal investigator for numerous drug trials investigating new treatments for a range of conditions including mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease, migraine headaches, and anxiety disorders. He has lectured on a wide range of medical topics including mood disorders, dementia, geriatrics, substance abuse, pain management and sexual dysfunction. Related Link: Viagra (sildenafil).
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