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Prozac Sexual Side Effects
Sexual side effects have been reported as a common problem in people taking Prozac. These side effects may include decreased sex drive, priapism, ejaculation problems, and impotence. If you develop any sexual side effects with Prozac, let your healthcare provider know so he or she can recommend treatment, adjust your Prozac dosage, or prescribe another antidepressant.
Prozac® (fluoxetine hydrochloride), like all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is known to cause certain sexual side effects. These sexual side effects may include:
- Decreased sex drive
- Ejaculation problems
- Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction, or ED)
- Priapism, a painful erection that does not go away.
Rarely, sexual side effects of Prozac persist even if the medication is stopped.
Sex Drive
Prozac is known to cause a decrease in sex drive (known as libido). In clinical studies where side effects of Prozac were documented, a decreased sex drive occurred in up to 11 percent of people taking Prozac. A decreased sex drive with Prozac was most common in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (11 percent). It is least common in people taking Prozac for panic disorder (1 percent).
Ejaculation Problems
Prozac is also known to cause ejaculatory problems. Generally, these problems are usually delayed ejaculation or the inability to ejaculate. In fact, Prozac can be used to treat men that have problems ejaculating too early (see Fluoxetine and Premature Ejaculation).
In clinical studies where side effects of Prozac were documented, ejaculation problems occurred in up to 7 percent of men. The highest incidence occurred in men with OCD and bulimia, while those with depression experienced a lower incidence of this Prozac sexual side effect (less than 1 percent).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD