Antidepressants and loss of libido

[francesrivis]

Hi, I posted about this a year or so ago but am doing so again in case anyone has any fresh ideas. Basically this problem is putting at risk what is otherwise a good relationship and I am desperate to do something about it. I am on dothiepin long term and it suits me well in other ways but I find the loss of libido very upsetting and so obviously does my partner. Any advice gratefully received

[GetDownYouWillFall]

Dothiepin (Dosulepin) is a tricyclic AD. I know it sounds obvious but have you tried another one within the same class?

There are LOADS of different tricylcic ADs:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil, Tryptizol, Laroxyl)
  
• Amitriptylinoxide (Amioxid, Ambivalon, Equilibrin)
  
• Butriptyline (Evadyne)
  
• Clomipramine (Anafranil)
  
• Demexiptiline (Deparon, Tinoran)
  
• Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)
  
• Dibenzepin (Noveril, Victoril)
  
• Dimetacrine (Istonil, Istonyl, Miroistonil)
  
• Dosulepin/Dothiepin (Prothiaden)
  
• Doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan)
  
• Imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine, Praminil)
  
• Imipraminoxide (Imiprex, Elepsin)
  
• Lofepramine (Lomont, Gamanil)
  
• Melitracen (Deanxit, Dixeran, Melixeran, Trausabun)
  
• Metapramine (Timaxel)
  
• Nitroxazepine (Sintamil)
  
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
  
• Noxiptiline (Agedal, Elronon, Nogedal)
  
• Pipofezine (Azafen/Azaphen)
  
• Propizepine (Depressin, Vagran)
  
• Protriptyline (Vivactil)
  
• Quinupramine (Kevopril, Kinupril, Adeprim, Quinuprine)
  
  I was on lofepramine for a while and never had any loss of libido (not enough that I'd noticed anyway)
  
  There must be another that would suit you. Yes, it will be a pain weaning off dotheipin and starting another, but it is a short term inconvenience surely? You do not have to suffer like that.
  
  Sex isn't all there is to a relationship, so it would be very sad indeed if it had to end for that reason alone. However, I do understand it must be very difficult for you and also frustrating for your partner.
  
  Please do ask if you can try another and get advice over which one to try.

[MiffyWhinge]

It's a pity reboxetine is so weak in unipolar depression because it has a dramatic positive effect on libido for lots of women - not a tricyclic though

[francesrivis]

Thanks for responses - I had no idea there were so many tricyclics! I have taken lofepramine in the past but found it caused constipation which I would rather avoid. Also I need one which is towards the more sedating end of the spectrum as I tend to get very anxious with my depression. Any ideas what might fit the bill?

[weegiemum]

I found Imipramine pretty sedating, but if you are on Dothiepin you might not - I couldn't take it as I fell asleep on it all the time.

[GetDownYouWillFall]

It's not a TCA, but mirtazapine is sedating - I take it and it helps me sleep.

I think it's what they call a tetra-cyclic anti-depressant !!!

[francesrivis]

Many thanks - do mirtazepine and imipramine affect libido and/or orgasm?

[GetDownYouWillFall]

hi frances, I take mirtazapine and have no problems in that area. I don't know about imipramine....

[francesrivis]

Many thanks. Anyone else have any experience of mirtazapine or any others that don't affect libido?

[francesrivis]

bump

[Mymymble]

Mirtazapine don't affect anything much except the depression(& give very vivid dreams - not hot dreams!). No destruction of sexual relationships although doesn't give you a burst of energy but doesn't destroy it either though that is on 45mg max dose. Citalipran a year ago (not being discussed here) was awful - zombielike half catatonic with monster diarrhoia. Stopped life as we know it except buying bleach - was terrified even to go to work because of public transport let alone anything intimate. So did without for a year til went on mirtazipine.

[orangeflutie]

I'm on dosulepin like the OP and have noticed I don't have any libido. However I'm not sure if I had any when my depression was bad anyway.

I have also taken citalapram but didn't get on with it as I suffered badly with side effects. I was also unable to have an orgasm whilst I was taking it. I haven't had this problem with dosulepin though, so for me it's the better drug of the two.