Antidepressants, Propecia and Accutane Can Cause Permanent Sexual Dysfunction

[Nelson Vergel]

One hundred and twenty cases of enduring sexual dysfunction following treatment

The International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine


Issue Volume 26, Number 2 / 2014


Abstract


BACKGROUND: There have been reports for over a decade linking serotonin reuptake inhibitors, finasteride and isotretinoin with enduring sexual dysfunction after treatment stops.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical pictures linked to all 3 drugs.

METHODS: We have selected 120 reports to RxISK.org reporting the problem and mined these for data on age, gender, drug of use, and impact of the problem.

RESULTS: The data make it clear that the three drugs show extensive overlap in symptom profile, regardless of sex or country of origin.

CONCLUSIONS: The availability of 120 reports from over 20 countries add to the case for the validity of the syndrome. This is severe and enduring condition can result in death. An understanding of its physiology and an approach to treatment are needed.

More information:

Can an Acne Drug (Accutane) Cause Negative Hormone Effects?
WARNING: Propecia (finasteride) or Proscar can deplete your testosterone and cause ED

 

[DaveK22]

Accutane Victims-

I DO NOT want this thread to turn into a debate about whether Accutane (isotretinoin) (aka Zenatane, Claravis, Myorisan, Amnesteem, and Absorica) can cause persistent (possibly permanent) sexual dysfunction or not. There are literally hundreds of threads already on that...just Google it. With that said, only people that feel that they have developed “persistent” sexual dysfunction from this drug’s use should read on. For me it was mostly zero libido and moderate ED.

So good news and bad news. Bad news first, as of the date of this posting, there is no “cure” for this syndrome. Now for the good news, after 9 years of “trial and error”, I was able to get my libido back.

I'm now 52, was on Accutane for 2.5 months 9 years ago in Jan-March of 2010. Long story short, spent 7 years of trying to cure my self...herbs, fasting, trt (short term), hcg mono, clomid, etc etc etc. Spent hours researching treatment options on "propeciahelp.com", “allthingsmale.com”, “excel male.com, etc, trying to find a "cure" or viable treatment. Nothing worked until something I tried in 2017/2018.

In Jan 2017, I decided to go on TRT & HCG. Initially, there was little noticeable effect. Then in late 2017, started dosing a bit higher test levels which put my TT in the 900 range. Sometime in 2018, my libido returned! I wish I had paid more attention to exact times but I slowly realized I was as horny as a teenager in early 2018. I still had mild ED though...but those who understand male hormones know that libido & erections are 2 completely different things. (I started using Trimix & Levitra before TRT and just continued with them throughout for the ED) Anyway, at age of 51, I was basically WANTING to get off at least 1x a day (sometimes 2x) whether via sex with wife or masturbation. (I did not need trimix or ED drugs for solo action but often used them for sex more out of habit & ego reasons). Bottom line was a raging libido was back after a 7.5 year hiatus…felt like I was 16 again!

My protocol for most of this time was 76mg Test Cyp E3.5D + 500iu HCG E3.5D + Cialis daily (Indian generic) 6.66mg Daily (20mg pill cut in thirds in case your wondering). I honestly don't think the Cialis had much to do with the return of libido...but I'll explain that next.

In Jan 2019, I decided to do a restart (HCG + Clomid protocol) due to doubts about committing to TRT “for life” (that’s another story for another time). I kept doing the Cialis daily though. The restart went great...except that the libido slowly vanished within first 10 days. I still had decent energy & overall well being...gym strength dropped a bit...but libido basically went to zero. That kind of was proof that the Cialis wasn’t the driving force behind the raging libido and stopping TRT meant no more libido. That really wasn’t where I want to be anymore.

So I now am going back on TRT and hopefully returning back to “life with a libido” which I didn’t realize how much I missed until it was gone again.

AS WE KNOW WITH MALE HORMONES, everyone is different and my results may or may not work for you if you have suffered accutane damage. But I just wanted to share my story in case it offers an “option to try’ for anyone in a similar situation. However, please don’t try anything I wrote before consulting with your own Doctor.

Hope this post can help or provide encouragement to other 'tane victims.

P.S. As far as Accutane’s “hidden secret”, progress is being made with it’s awareness…
Rxisk article

 

[Vitamin_C]

I took accutane when I was 16 for about 4-6 months. I experienced zero issues other than dry face and lips. My libido was absolutely phenomenal and so was my mood. No negative effects during or after accutane. I do not believe I needed to be on the drug as my acne was only moderate, but its only now that I've had medical education that I realize I could have ran a little doxy instead. I don't know if we can ever figure out why some guys get hard with accutane sexually and other don't, I think it may have to do with methylation, MTHFR, and possibly candida. I've consulted with several derms who have told me they have never had patients complain of sexual dysfunction from accutane so it is definitely not the norm. I've also asked several of my patients if they have experienced issues and I have not personally found any.