Fluoxetine-Induced Sexual Dysfunction Reversed by Loratadine

Letter to the Editor

Sir: Sexual dysfunction as a side effect of antidepressant treatment occurs at a rate of roughly 50% of treated patients. Fluoxetine is no exception. Attempts at reversing sexual side effects in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have included dosage reduction, change to a different SSRI or non- SSRI, and adding bupropion, Ginkgo biloba, cyproheptadine, yohimbine, trazodone, and sildenafil, all with varying degrees of success. In this study, loratadine, a long-acting tricyclic antihistamine with selective peripheral histamine H₁ receptor antagonistic activity, appeared to be very helpful in reversing fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction.