Bupropion-sustained release as a treatment for SSRI-induced sexual side effects.

Twenty-four subjects treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors for a depressive disorder who had new-onset sexual side effects coincident with antidepressant treatment were treated with escalating doses of bupropion SR up to 300 mg daily for 7 weeks. Global response rates were 46% for women and 75% for men. All sexual side effects improved in response to bupropion SR in both men and women with no differential effect on any one sexual side effect. Most of the improvement (more than 50%) occurred within the first 2 weeks and at low dose (100-200 mg/day). When prescribed in an open fashion, bupropion SR appeared to be effective in treating all the major categories of sexual side effects.