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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Options to Paxil??
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Options to Paxil??
by Karmen, Dec 21, 1999 12:00AM
Hello,
I have just been put on Paxil (20mg) and I was wondering if there were any other antidepressants I can take that won't cause my sex drive to diminish? I also have been yawning alot and have been so tired even after I've slept for over 8hrs. Would other drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft have the same side effects? thanks!
I have just been put on Paxil (20mg) and I was wondering if there were any other antidepressants I can take that won't cause my sex drive to diminish? I also have been yawning alot and have been so tired even after I've slept for over 8hrs. Would other drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft have the same side effects? thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS M.D.-SW, Dec 22, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Karmen,
Paxil is an effective antidepressant. Side effects may include sedation and sexual dysfunction. Consider taking Paxil earlier in the evening to avoid early morning tiredness.
Zoloft and Prozac are similar to Paxil in their side effect profiles for sexual dysfunction (20-25%).
Antidepressants with minimal sexual side effects are Wellbutrin and Remeron.
Discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist. Please remember, side effects are a possibility with medication and not a definite occurance.
Best Wishes,
HFHS M.D.-SW
Paxil is an effective antidepressant. Side effects may include sedation and sexual dysfunction. Consider taking Paxil earlier in the evening to avoid early morning tiredness.
Zoloft and Prozac are similar to Paxil in their side effect profiles for sexual dysfunction (20-25%).
Antidepressants with minimal sexual side effects are Wellbutrin and Remeron.
Discuss your concerns with your psychiatrist. Please remember, side effects are a possibility with medication and not a definite occurance.
Best Wishes,
HFHS M.D.-SW
Wellburtin SR, that IS NOT supposed to cause ANY sexual side effects at all
Initially, I was prescribed Prozac - came off that, when I became pregnant. Following this, I was put on Paxil. I came off Paxil because of the drowsy side-effects, then I was prescribed Serzone - this also caused drowsiness and the effect of the drug dissipated to the point that I was on 600mg a day with little sign of it actually helping me with my depression. I was becoming more moody, irritable, horrible with my husband and my twins, withdrawn, etc. etc. To add to all of this I was totally
without a sex drive since I had my kids almost four years ago. No wonder I was bloody irritable, and it was, no doubt causing a strain on my marriage. I spoke to my doctor about this and he said that it was probably because of the depression that I had no sex drive and that the medication wouldn't really help, because one of the main side-effects is loss of sex drive - AAAHHHH I was really getting so stressed about this and came to the web and found out some information about Wellburtin. A friend of mine had been on Prozac and changed to this so I did my
own sleuth work on the web and found out that Wellburtin is not only an anti-depressant, but that it has no adverse effect on your libido. In one article, I discovered that it may actually
increase your sex drive. With this information, I went to my
doctor and pleaded with him to let me try this. He was reluctant
at first, because he had heard about the seizure thing, but I was almost in tears at the thought of him refusing to, at least, let
me give this a whirl.
Well, that was about ten days ago. For the first five days I was
on 150mg. I have no increased to 300mg. I cannot tell you how
wonderful Wellburtin has been for me. It has virtually changed my life. Not only do I feel positive, I'm not drowsy, not irritable and the absolute best thing about Wellburtin is that
my sex drive has returned with gusto. My husband got home from
work on Friday night, (I sent the kids to my mothers), I couldn't wait to have sex. We had sex five times over the weekend. Since changing my medication, I can't stop having sex. I can't urge people enough to try Wellburtin.
I almost lost my marriage because of these other medications. I was at my wits end. I tried potion after potion from the health food stores. I have been to hypnosis. I have wasted so much time, energy, money and ended up completely hopeless, with the idea that I would never again enjoy sex. I never thought I would have that feeling again, and, at the moment, I can't stop thinking about having sex with my husband.
We are virtually on our second honeymoon thanks to Wellburtin, and my doctor, who let me try this stuff
This is not a infomercial. I am completely serious and I want to share my news with other people in the same position that I was in, because it was such a terrible waste.
I really do hope this information helps others.
Initially, I was prescribed Prozac - came off that, when I became pregnant. Following this, I was put on Paxil. I came off Paxil because of the drowsy side-effects, then I was prescribed Serzone - this also caused drowsiness and the effect of the drug dissipated to the point that I was on 600mg a day with little sign of it actually helping me with my depression. I was becoming more moody, irritable, horrible with my husband and my twins, withdrawn, etc. etc. To add to all of this I was totally
without a sex drive since I had my kids almost four years ago. No wonder I was bloody irritable, and it was, no doubt causing a strain on my marriage. I spoke to my doctor about this and he said that it was probably because of the depression that I had no sex drive and that the medication wouldn't really help, because one of the main side-effects is loss of sex drive - AAAHHHH I was really getting so stressed about this and came to the web and found out some information about Wellburtin. A friend of mine had been on Prozac and changed to this so I did my
own sleuth work on the web and found out that Wellburtin is not only an anti-depressant, but that it has no adverse effect on your libido. In one article, I discovered that it may actually
increase your sex drive. With this information, I went to my
doctor and pleaded with him to let me try this. He was reluctant
at first, because he had heard about the seizure thing, but I was almost in tears at the thought of him refusing to, at least, let
me give this a whirl.
Well, that was about ten days ago. For the first five days I was
on 150mg. I have no increased to 300mg. I cannot tell you how
wonderful Wellburtin has been for me. It has virtually changed my life. Not only do I feel positive, I'm not drowsy, not irritable and the absolute best thing about Wellburtin is that
my sex drive has returned with gusto. My husband got home from
work on Friday night, (I sent the kids to my mothers), I couldn't wait to have sex. We had sex five times over the weekend. Since changing my medication, I can't stop having sex. I can't urge people enough to try Wellburtin.
I almost lost my marriage because of these other medications. I was at my wits end. I tried potion after potion from the health food stores. I have been to hypnosis. I have wasted so much time, energy, money and ended up completely hopeless, with the idea that I would never again enjoy sex. I never thought I would have that feeling again, and, at the moment, I can't stop thinking about having sex with my husband.
We are virtually on our second honeymoon thanks to Wellburtin, and my doctor, who let me try this stuff
This is not a infomercial. I am completely serious and I want to share my news with other people in the same position that I was in, because it was such a terrible waste.
I really do hope this information helps others.