The effects of moclobemide on sexual desire and function in healthy volunteers

Decreased sexual desire is a recognized symptom of major depression (MD). Disturbances in sexual function, although reported in drug=free patients, have more often been viewed as adverse drug effects during antidepressant treatment with established classes of antidepressants (TCA, MAOI, SSRI). However, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the effects of antidepressants on sexual desire and function for two reasons: lack of standardised assessments for sexual function; inability to distinguish depression-related symptoms from drug-induced sexual disturbances. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of moclobemide (a RIMA antidepressant) on sexual function in healthy male and female volunteers. Sixty male and female volunteers were randomly assigned to either moclobemide 300 mg or placebo for 3 weeks. They were seen at weekly intervals to assess drug compliance and to complete a 10-item sexual function questionnaire (SFQ). In both men and women there were no differences between moclobemide and placebo on measures of sexual desire and function. However, men and women differed in the levels of reported interest and sexual performance.