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Depression. Inability To Get An Erection. Taking Venlafaxine. Help?
Hi Dear Samuel
I am taking Venlafaxine at dose of 150MG every day, its about 4 months now, my depression is going sooo well now, as if I'm a different person but now I have problem with my sexuality,,, I don't get erection at all,,, is there any medicine to get rid of this problem? I dont want to change Venlafaxine as this med is the only one works on me.
Regards
Sam
I am taking Venlafaxine at dose of 150MG every day, its about 4 months now, my depression is going sooo well now, as if I'm a different person but now I have problem with my sexuality,,, I don't get erection at all,,, is there any medicine to get rid of this problem? I dont want to change Venlafaxine as this med is the only one works on me.
Regards
Sam
Fri, 19 Apr 2013
Hello,
Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your given history in detail.
In your description yo have mentioned that there are problems pertaining to penile erection. Yes, Venlafaxine can cause problem with erection as it acts on serotonin receptor. Yes there are certain medications which can help counter the side-effect. Cyproheptadine is the drug useful for this purpose but make sure you consult your psychiatrist before starting it.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your given history in detail.
In your description yo have mentioned that there are problems pertaining to penile erection. Yes, Venlafaxine can cause problem with erection as it acts on serotonin receptor. Yes there are certain medications which can help counter the side-effect. Cyproheptadine is the drug useful for this purpose but make sure you consult your psychiatrist before starting it.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
I find this answer helpful
Hi there, thanks for asking. It is one of the side effects of this medication. It is usually related to serotonergic activities of this medication. Some medication from the class of antiserotonergic can balance this side effect which should be taken 4 fours before the intimacy. You can ask more about it from your doctor. I wish you a good health.
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
thanks for using healthcare magic.
Depression and sex is interlinked in many ways like
1) lack of desire as a symptom of depression
2) Premature ejaculation
3) As a side effect of some anti depressant drugs
4) as a symptom of ongoing stress
venalfaxine can cause erectile dysfunction although at lower level than other anti depressants.
You should consult your psychiatrist or sexologist to check at what level the dysfunction is. whether it is at desire or erection or ejaculation level??
the treatment would be as per the cause.
thanks
thanks for using healthcare magic.
Depression and sex is interlinked in many ways like
1) lack of desire as a symptom of depression
2) Premature ejaculation
3) As a side effect of some anti depressant drugs
4) as a symptom of ongoing stress
venalfaxine can cause erectile dysfunction although at lower level than other anti depressants.
You should consult your psychiatrist or sexologist to check at what level the dysfunction is. whether it is at desire or erection or ejaculation level??
the treatment would be as per the cause.
thanks
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
User's Response
Dr. Vikas Gaur,
Psychiatrist's Response
Psychiatrist's Response
Hello Sam,
Sexual side effects are very commonly reported by patients taking Venlafaxine. In such cases there are two possible options.
1) Reduce the dose of Venlafaxine and see if it helps, if it doesn't then Venlafaxine can be replaced by another antidepressant.
2) Adding either Bupropion or Mirtazapine along with Venlafaxine. Advantage of adding these medicines is that they not only augment the antidepressant effect of Venlafaxine but can also counteract its sexual side effects.
Since you want to continue Venlafaxine so you can discuss with your doctor about trying the second option.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Vikas
Sexual side effects are very commonly reported by patients taking Venlafaxine. In such cases there are two possible options.
1) Reduce the dose of Venlafaxine and see if it helps, if it doesn't then Venlafaxine can be replaced by another antidepressant.
2) Adding either Bupropion or Mirtazapine along with Venlafaxine. Advantage of adding these medicines is that they not only augment the antidepressant effect of Venlafaxine but can also counteract its sexual side effects.
Since you want to continue Venlafaxine so you can discuss with your doctor about trying the second option.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Vikas
I find this answer helpful
Hello
Welcome to health care magic
I can understand your situation. I appreciate your effort to seek online support.
Venlafaxine is an SNRI which can cause sexual dysfunction like erectile disorder (ED).
For these various treatment strategies are available like Nitric oxide enhancers like sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil etc., prostaglandins like alprostadil, herbal medicines like tentex forte etc.
Consult a psychiatrist for detailed evaluation and management.
Hope it helps
Good luck
Regards
Dr. Gourav Monga
Consultant Psychiatrist
Welcome to health care magic
I can understand your situation. I appreciate your effort to seek online support.
Venlafaxine is an SNRI which can cause sexual dysfunction like erectile disorder (ED).
For these various treatment strategies are available like Nitric oxide enhancers like sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil etc., prostaglandins like alprostadil, herbal medicines like tentex forte etc.
Consult a psychiatrist for detailed evaluation and management.
Hope it helps
Good luck
Regards
Dr. Gourav Monga
Consultant Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
Hi Samuel,
Welcome to HCM Forum
I can understand dilemma u must be suffering.
Erectile dysfunction(ED) in a patient of on treatment for depression could be either part of depression itself or medication induced.
If its part of depression itself that is ur ED problem was there before start of treatment and still continued - can be treated by increasing dose of medicine or adding another medicine to this.
If its medication induced that is ur ED problem is newer,developed recently - then it requires gradually lowering dose of ongoing medicine if it permits.If lowering dose will create problem then adding another medicine which counteracts side effect of same i.e. Cyproheptadine,L-methylfolate or adding another antidepressant will help.
Remember that there are better and safer alternative drug option also available for change of medicine also.Discuss your problem in person with your psychiatrist - depending on progress of illness he will suggest you best option.
Hope it helps.Best Regards.
Welcome to HCM Forum
I can understand dilemma u must be suffering.
Erectile dysfunction(ED) in a patient of on treatment for depression could be either part of depression itself or medication induced.
If its part of depression itself that is ur ED problem was there before start of treatment and still continued - can be treated by increasing dose of medicine or adding another medicine to this.
If its medication induced that is ur ED problem is newer,developed recently - then it requires gradually lowering dose of ongoing medicine if it permits.If lowering dose will create problem then adding another medicine which counteracts side effect of same i.e. Cyproheptadine,L-methylfolate or adding another antidepressant will help.
Remember that there are better and safer alternative drug option also available for change of medicine also.Discuss your problem in person with your psychiatrist - depending on progress of illness he will suggest you best option.
Hope it helps.Best Regards.
I find this answer helpful
_1589130903.jpg "Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar, Psychiatrist"){kind=icon}
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hello
Welcome to HCM
Poor erection can occur in any individual with depression. You are responding to venlafexine and don't want to stop it. There are other options that can be used-
- Addition of Buporpion or Trazodon to venlafexine therapy will improve poor erection and will help in improvement.
- If you are married and need immediate treatment you can try Sildenafil, Tadalafil or Vardenafil. These medicines are very nice drugs to get good erection.
- Try to devote some time in exercise and yoga. This will help to boost your confidence.
Before starting any drug please consult your Psychiatrist for opinion.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
Welcome to HCM
Poor erection can occur in any individual with depression. You are responding to venlafexine and don't want to stop it. There are other options that can be used-
- Addition of Buporpion or Trazodon to venlafexine therapy will improve poor erection and will help in improvement.
- If you are married and need immediate treatment you can try Sildenafil, Tadalafil or Vardenafil. These medicines are very nice drugs to get good erection.
- Try to devote some time in exercise and yoga. This will help to boost your confidence.
Before starting any drug please consult your Psychiatrist for opinion.
Thanks
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, MD
I find this answer helpful
Hello......
Thanks for your query. Erectile dysfunction is indeed a very common side effect of antidepressants like venlafaxine. I would suggest that you discuss the issue with your psychiatrist as sexual side effects may lead to non compliance with medication.
The problem can be addressed to an extent by adding another antidepressant like bupropion that would counteract this side effect. Wish you good health and a happy sexual life.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
Thanks for your query. Erectile dysfunction is indeed a very common side effect of antidepressants like venlafaxine. I would suggest that you discuss the issue with your psychiatrist as sexual side effects may lead to non compliance with medication.
The problem can be addressed to an extent by adding another antidepressant like bupropion that would counteract this side effect. Wish you good health and a happy sexual life.
Regards
Dr Sundar
Psychiatrist
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Depression or the drug - either is capable of causing this. Discuss with your Psychiatrist. There are several classes of drugs and several drugs in each class... you have a choice!
Andrologist can help - counselling and/or drugs like sildenafil are very useful
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Depression or the drug - either is capable of causing this. Discuss with your Psychiatrist. There are several classes of drugs and several drugs in each class... you have a choice!
Andrologist can help - counselling and/or drugs like sildenafil are very useful
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
I find this answer helpful
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