BUPROPION AND SEXUAL FUNCTION - A PLACEBO-CONTROLLED PROSPECTIVE-STUDY ON DIABETIC MEN WITH ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Many antidepressant agents interfere with sexual function. The purpose of this single-blind, prospective study was to determine sexual side effects, both positive and negative, of the amino-ketone antidepressan t bupropion in a group of nondepressed diabetic men with somatic erect ile dysfunction. Fourteen men participated in 10-week protocol consist ing sequentially of 2 weeks of baseline testing, 2 weeks of placebo, a nd 6 weeks of buporpion. Participants also completed daily and weekly questionnaires concerning sexual functioning, and a team of investigat ors rated various dimensions of sexual function every 2 weeks. In addi tion, a variety of physiologic measures, relevant either to erectile f unction or to neural/vascular systems during baseline and bupropion tr eatment. Results indicated that neither subjective nor objective measu res of erectile and overall sexual functioning worsened during bupropi on. In fact, several measures suggested a trend toward improved sexual functioning. Furthermore, diabetic control was unaffected by bupropio n administration. Given the lack of adverse effects on sexual function , along with the potential for improved erectile response, bupropion m ay provide an attractive choice for the treatment of depression in dia betic men or others for whom sexual dysfunction is a concern.