Prolonged Post-Treatment Genital Anesthesia and Sexual Dysfunction Following Discontinuation of Citalopram and the Atypical Antidepressant Nefazodone

SSRI therapy is commonly associated with sexual side effects, but it is assumed that these distressing symptoms resolve with termination of therapy. The atypical antidepressant nefazodone is infrequently associated with sexual dysfunction and may be substituted for SSRI's when sexual symptoms are intolerable. Recently, scattered case reports of persistent sexual dysfunction and genital anesthesia persisting well after termination of SSRI antidepressant therapy have surfaced. In each case, the underlying depressive disorder was in remission. Case: A 32-year old women with major depression was treated with citalopram but switched to nefazodone after 4 weeks of therapy due to genital anesthesia and orgasmic dysfunction. These symptoms continued following institution of nefazodone therapy and have persisted for over a year since termination of antidepressant treatment. Her depression remains in full remission. Discussion: It is likely that persistent post-treatment genital anesthesia and other sexual side effects are underreported, and physicians should be aware of this bothersome phenomenon. Formal post-treatment surveillance for this condition is warranted. Pharmacogenomic research may ultimately allow physicians to predict who is at risk for antidepressant induced sexual side effects.