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Pfizer's erectile dysfunction medication Viagra can improve sexual function for some women who take antidepressants, according to astudy published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, theBaltimore Sun reports (Kohn, Baltimore Sun, 7/23). According to theAP/Denver Post, previous research has found that more than 50% of patients who take antidepressants develop side effects that include decreased sexual function (Johnson, AP/Denver Post, 7/22).

For the study, George Nurnberg, a University of New MexicoSchool of Medicine psychiatrist, and colleagues divided 98 women who took serotonin re-uptake inhibitors into two groups, one that took Viagra and one that took a placebo (Baltimore Sun, 7/23). Participants, who had an average age of 37, reported no problems with sexual function before they began to take antidepressants and had "controlled" their depression,USA Today reports (Szabo, USA Today, 7/23).

According to researchers, 28% of participants who took Viagra experienced no improvement in sexual function, compared with 73% of those who took a placebo (Wall Street Journal, 7/23). The study also found that Viagra did not increase sexual desire (Gellene,Los Angeles Times, 7/23). Some of the women who took Viagra experienced headaches, reddening of the skin and indigestion. Pfizer funded the study with a research grant, but company officials said that they have no plans to seek FDA approval for Viagra as a treatment for sexual dysfunction in women (Thomas,Chicago Sun-Times, 7/23).

Broadcast Coverage

Several broadcast programs recently reported on the study. Summaries appear below.

~ CBS' "Evening News": The segment includes comments from women who experienced sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants (LaPook, "Evening News," CBS, 7/22). Additional "Evening News" coverage on the issue is availableonline.

~ NBC's "Nightly News" on Tuesday reported on the study. The segment includes comments from Laura Berman of theBerman Center (Ellis, "Nightly News," NBC, 7/22).

~ NPR's "Morning Edition": The segment includes comments from Julia Heiman, director of theKinsey Institute at Indiana University (Silberner, "Morning Edition," NPR, 7/23).

Reprinted with kind permission from http://www.nationalpartnership.org. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women %26 Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.

%26copy; 2008 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.

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