Suffering From Anxiety, Depression And Erectile Dysfunction. Taking Fluvoxine. Can I Take Viagra?

Posted on Mon, 11 Mar 2013

Question: Hi, I got marry six month back and I'm suffering erectile dysfunction, so I am planning to take Viagra, please suggest some good and less side effect tablets. My background is I have been suffering anxiety and depression since 7 years. Fist I consult in JSS Hospital in mysore and they suggested some medicine (name forgetton) after that I sifted to bangalore and I consult doctors in Nimans and they suggested fist three month buspirone after three month they suggested Nexito 10 Mg, I took nexito 10 MG nearly 21/2 years that time i was good due to errection problem they stopped and suggested Maxigline 200 MG but that time I was not happy and strated anxiety and dipression and again I changed doctor from Nimans to Manipal hospital, they strated Milnace 20 MG
but due to consipation problem they told me stop and suggested Fluvoxine 100 day and night and Duzela 40 MG night.
My question is Can I use Viagra for errection problem including this medicine

Now I am taking Fluvoxine 100 mg day and night and Duzela 40 MG night
Please suggest some medicine

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (7 hours later)

Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Many anti-depressants, especially SSRI anti-depresssants can have a side effect of causing sexual dysfunction. So, it is likely that your erectile dysfunction could have started as a result of the side effects of Nexito. Like you have mentioned, because of this, the medication had been subsequently changed to Maxigline, then Milnace and now, you are currently on Fluvoxine and Duzella.

While using the current combination of medication, you can safely use Viagra or similar medications for erectile dysfunction. I would suggest that Tadalafil (Megalis) would be a better option that Viagra (Sildenafil). This is because it has a longer duration of action and lesser side effects. Moreover, since the duration of action of Tadalafil is about 2 - 3 days, you don't have to take it daily also. Tadalafil (Megalis) comes in doses of 10 and 20 mg. It is better to start with 10 mg and if this is effective and comfortable, the same dose can be continued.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist & Sexologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (1 hour later)

Thanks for your Answer

I want to kwow whether Viagra is addictive medicine?
Can I use this life time (if I con't overcome from Erection problem)
Once I Stopped Fluvoxine and Duzella with suggestion Can I overcome from Erection problem and if it is possible please suggest some techniques to overcome this problem and My request keep the records secreatly that means should not show in website

thanks

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (16 hours later)

Hello again,

Viagra is not an addictive medicine and is safe for short term use. However, there is no sufficient medical evidence about its safety for long term or continuous use.

But don't worry, since your erection problem is predominantly due to the anti-depressant medication, it is most likely to improve when the medication is reduced or stopped after some time.

One more option which can be considered is to change your anti-depressant medication to something which does not have such sexual side effects. There are certain anti-depressants like Bupropion, etc. which can be helpful in treating depression as well as help with sexual dysfunction also. But any change has to be done only after careful consideration and a detailed psychological evaluation. So, I would suggest that you discuss about this option with your doctor.

Wish you all the best.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar
Consultant Psychiatrist & Sexologist

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar