Bupropion/sertraline interaction: Hypersexuality: case report

A 55-year-old man, who was receiving bupropion for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), developed hypersexuality when sertraline was added for treatment of PTSD [routes not stated].

The man, who had presented in 2006 for management of PTSD and MDD, had been receiving extended-release bupropion 100 mg/day. His symptoms were not adequately controlled; due to limited evidence regarding the benefit of bupropion for PTSD, sertraline was added (titrated to 100 mg/day). His wife subsequently expressed concern that he had developed a heightened sexual desire which had resulted in marital discord [time to reaction onset not stated]. He agreed, and reported that his erections were firmer and lasted longer than before; there was no evidence of priapism or hypomania/mania. They attributed his heightened sexual desire to the addition of sertraline as the hypersexuality did not exist while he was receiving bupropion alone.

Sertraline was withdrawn and the man's hypersexuality gradually resolved over 1 month; his PTSD and MDD did not worsen and he was maintained on bupropion monotherapy.Author Comment"The emergence of hypersexuality in our patient on the addition of sertraline may be an independent side effect of sertraline or may be due to the synergistic action of bupropion and sertraline."

References

1. Das P, Rai A, Chopra A, Dewan V.Sertraline-Induced hypersexuality in a patient taking bupropion. Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 14: No. 2, Jan 2012. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4088/PCC.11l01232. - USA.