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Wellbutrin SR and Libido

Impotence and changes in libido (sex drive) are among the sexual side effects that can potentially occur in some people taking Wellbutrin SR. However, Wellbutrin SR is less likely to cause sexual side effects than other antidepressant medications. In fact, Wellbutrin SR may help to reverse libido changes that result from other antidepressants. Also, if a person does develop Wellbutrin SR sexual side effects, it is difficult to know whether these problems are because of depression or Wellbutrin SR itself.

 

Wellbutrin SR and Libido: An Overview

 Wellbutrin SR® (bupropion SR) may be less likely than many other antidepressant medications to affect a person's libido (sex drive). However, it is still possible for a person to develop sexual side effects during treatment with Wellbutrin SR. In addition to libido changes, other Wellbutrin SR sexual side effects may include impotence or other sexual problems.
 
Wellbutrin SR and Libido
In previous clinical studies documenting the side effects of Wellbutrin SR, a decreased sex drive affected between 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 people who took the medicine.
 
Even though Wellbutrin SR can cause a decreased libido in rare cases, sometimes Wellbutrin SR is used to help increase the libido in people taking other antidepressants. Preliminary studies have shown that Wellbutrin SR may help reverse libido changes that result from a certain type of antidepressant known as selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, Wellbutrin SR has not been approved for this use.
 
Wellbutrin SR and Impotence
Impotence is usually defined as a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Ultimately, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Impotence is also known as erectile dysfunction (or ED for short).
 
In previous studies, impotence affected between 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 men who took Wellbutrin SR.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;