Efficacy of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Objective: This study was an evaluation of whether sildenafil citrate is ef fective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men taking concomitant serotonin-reuptake-inhibiting antidepressants. Method: A retrospective subanalysis of combined data from 10 phase II/III d ouble-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed- and flexible-dose trials (12-26 wee ks) identified a group of men with erectile dysfunction receiving 5 to 200 mg/day of sildenafil (N= 65) or placebo (N=33) and concomitant serotonin-re uptake-inhibiting antidepressants. Efficacy was measured by responses to qu estions from the International Index of Erectile Function on ability to ach ieve erection, ability to maintain erection, ejaculation frequency, orgasm frequency, and sexual desire. Results: Patients with erectile dysfunction receiving sildenafil and concom itant serotonergic antidepressants had significantly greater improvements i n ability to achieve and maintain an erection, frequency of ejaculation, an d orgasm frequency than did patients receiving placebo, without increased s exual desire. Conclusions: Sildenafil significantly improved erectile dysfunction in pati ents taking concomitant serotonergic antidepressants.