Treatment of Sex Addiction with Antidepressants

Recommended Medications and Dosage

Paroxetin is considered effective in treating sex addiction due to its strong effect on delaying ejaculation (8.8-fold prolongation compared to baseline) 1
Other effective SSRIs include Sertralin (50-200 mg), Citalopram (20-40 mg), and Clomipramin (12.5-50 mg) 1
The American Urological Association recommends daily SSRI therapy with Paroxetin (10-40 mg), Fluoxetin (20-40 mg), or Sertralin (50-200 mg) as first-line treatment 1
The treatment can be either daily maintenance therapy or as-needed medication, with daily intake being more effective in most studies 1, 2

The treatment duration is typically long-term, as symptoms often return after discontinuation of medication 3, 4

Patients should be informed about possible side effects such as nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, and decreased libido 5, 6
The serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious complication, especially when using multiple serotonergic medications simultaneously 1
SSRIs should be avoided in patients with bipolar depression, as they can trigger mania 1
Sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction should be avoided to prevent SSRI withdrawal syndrome 1
Special caution is required in adolescents and patients with comorbid depression and suicidal thoughts 1

Approximately 40% of patients refuse treatment with SSRIs or discontinue it within 12 months 1