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Re: Lexapro vs. Zoloft (sexual side effects)

Posted by SPhobia on March 3, 2004, at 19:31:28

In reply to Lexapro vs. Zoloft (sexual side effects), posted by catcrazycarmen on March 3, 2004, at 11:52:42

Let me preface this response by saying that I am male. I don't know whether that really makes any difference, but were looking specifically for advice from women, so that's my disclosure :)

I am really shocked how differently Zoloft as treated me since I started it a few weeks ago, compared with how the other SSRI's did. Now, I haven't been on it long enough to discern any major theraputic effects, but my side effect from SSRI's seem to come on strong and fast so I feel qualified to discuss them at this point.

Here's my breakdown of tried SSRI's and the side effects I felt from them (and keep in mind, this was just how these meds affected ME personally):

Paxil CR: No decrease in Libido, but total inability to orgasm once I went upto and past 25mg/day. Started to notice a little water weight gain (i.e., bloating). Also experience a bit of apathy, and ended up stopping b/c it was destroying my ability to concentrate on my work (i.e., giving me extreme ADD).

Lexapro: From 10mgs/day and on, my libido plumitted and I again lost my ability to orgasm. In addition I started to get bad headaches. Perhaps the libido and orgasm would have come back with time, but the headaches were killing me so I got off pretty quickly.

Zoloft: I'm up to 100mgs/day at this poing and have been titrating up on it for about 3 weeks. I may have a "slight" decrease in libido, but its so slight I am beginning to think it's my imagination (or due to increased stress in my work life). I am having NO PROBLEMS WITH ORGASMING!! This is the big one for me...I can't understand why Z has been SO different in this area for me than Paxil and Lexapro were. But who cares, I couldn't be happier about it. Also, I do NOT seem to be having the concentration problem I had on paxil.

So for me, Z has been great in the side effect department so far. Now I will just wait and see if it helps treat my anxiety. I am hopeful though, b/c I have heard Z is a particularly effective SSRI for treating anxiety.

Best of Luck, and don't settle for sexual side effects unless you have no other option! Sex--in whatever form--is so fundamental to stress relief. During the periods I couldn't orgasm, I fell wound so tightly I would loose my temper over such trivial matters! It was tough

:)


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poster:SPhobia thread:319709
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