PROZAC HEADACHE
It's a side effect that many dread and few discuss: the loss of libido that sometimes accompanies selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Now, there's a glimmer of hope. A British biopharmaceutical company is developing a drug that will restore normal sex drive when taken in conjunction with SSRIs--antidepressants that include Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. The drug, now known as VML 670, is being codeveloped by Vernalis and Eli Lilly.
Studies suggest that one third of SSRI users suffer adverse sexual side effects. Men experience difficulty maintaining an erection, and women report difficulty attaining orgasm. SSRIs flood the brain with serotonin, overloading the receptors that control sexual arousal, and decreasing sexual desire. When tested on rodents, VML 670 increased their interest in sex and their ability to achieve orgasm.
