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Study may show alternate use for Viagra

By Blake Smith

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Men across the nation have used Viagra to overcome erectile dysfunction, but now scientists from the UA and two other universities are conducting a study to determine its effectiveness in treating sexual side-effects caused by antidepressants.

In a joint study underway between the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico and Massachusetts General Hospital, researchers are giving Viagra to 90 men who use antidepressants to see if the impotence drug eliminates recurring sexual side-effects associated with their medication.

According to Dr. Alan Gelenberg, head of the UA psychiatry department and lead investigator for the UA study site, loss of libido is common among patients taking antidepressants.

"With antidepressants, patients see a decrease in sexual desire and ability to reach orgasm," Gelenberg said.

He added that Viagra "enhances sexuality in many ways besides erections."

So far, 17 men have been studied at the UA and each of the other two test sites. Ultimately, 30 men will be tested at each location.

Preliminary results show most of the patients are responding positively to the use of Viagra in addition to their antidepressant medication.

Almost 75 percent of the subjects who were given Viagra have shown improvement in sexual function thus far. About 11 percent of men given a placebo have also demonstrated improvement, Gelenberg said.

Patients are chosen from a group that has overcome their bout with depression but are still taking antidepressants to prevent relapses.

Patients go through this transition period for six to nine months. Also, subjects cannot have a pre-existing sexual dysfunction, according to Gelenberg.

Dr. George Nurnberg, professor at the University of New Mexico and leader of that institution's part of the study, said there is an important purpose to this investigation.

"(This study serves) to treat antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction and thus allow patients to continue on the medication which effectively treated their depression. Patients may become non-compliant due to this side-effect and then suffer a relapse," he stated in an e-mail interview.

Gelenberg said that if this study proves that Viagra is an effective way to combat sexual dysfunction, researchers expect to include women in their research next summer.

When the female version of the study occurs, he expects 10 and 15 sites to be involved with the research.

Though Viagra is traditionally associated with male sexual inadequacy, Gelenberg said he expects similar sexual results in female participants.