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Lalegani E, Eissazade N, Shalbafan M, Salehian R, Shariat SV, Askari S, Orsolini L, Soraya S. Safety and Efficacy of Drug Holidays for Women with Sexual Dysfunction Induced by Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Other than Fluoxetine: An Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1397. [PMID: 37891766 PMCID: PMC10605929 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the cornerstone of psychopharmacology. However, they cause side effects such as sexual dysfunction, leading to the discontinuation of treatment. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of drug holidays for women experiencing sexual dysfunction Induced by SSRIs other than fluoxetine. This study was an 8-week randomized, open-label, controlled trial including married women aged between 18 and 50 years who had experienced sexual dysfunction while undergoing treatment with SSRIs. The intervention group implemented drug holidays by not taking medications on Thursdays and Fridays, while the control group continued regular medication use. The female sexual function index (FSFI) and the 28-question general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) were administered to assess sexual function and mental health, respectively. A total of 50 participants completed the trial. The drug holidays' group showed significant improvements in arousal (p < 0.001), desire (p = 0.001), orgasm (p < 0.001), satisfaction (p < 0.001), lubrication (p = 0.021), and overall sexual health (p < 0.001). The between-group difference of pain was significant (p < 0.001), despite no significant within-group change. Mental health improved in both groups, despite no significant between-group difference. No major adverse effects were reported. Drug holidays did not introduce immediate safety concerns or significant adverse effects during the timeframe of eight weeks, suggesting that it may be a safe and effective strategy for managing SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in women, alongside improving mental health. Further research is needed to reach a definitive conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Lalegani
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; (E.L.); (M.S.); (R.S.); (S.V.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Negin Eissazade
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran;
| | - Mohammadreza Shalbafan
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; (E.L.); (M.S.); (R.S.); (S.V.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Razieh Salehian
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; (E.L.); (M.S.); (R.S.); (S.V.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Seyed Vahid Shariat
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; (E.L.); (M.S.); (R.S.); (S.V.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Sanaz Askari
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran; (E.L.); (M.S.); (R.S.); (S.V.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Laura Orsolini
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences/DIMSC, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Shiva Soraya
- Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB), Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14496-14535, Iran
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