To the Editor: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting (SSRI) antidepressants commonly produce iatrogenic sexual dysfunction (1, 2). It is uncommon for spontaneous remission of this side effect to occur, even after taking the SSRI for years (3). A variety of augmentation strategies have been proposed to reverse SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (4). Sildenafil has been used to reverse SSRI-induced anorgasmia in a woman (5). Vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, is indicated in the treatment of male erectile disorder. I report here a case of SSRI-induced anorgasmia in a woman that was reversed by vardenafil.

This case report describes a woman with SSRI-induced anorgasmia and no other sexual complaints who had this side effect reversed by vardenafil. It is possible that this response was a placebo effect, although it is unlikely since this side effect persisted with a low dose of sildenafil. Larger-scale placebo-controlled studies would be helpful in determining the effect size and whether other opportunities exist for using vardenafil to reverse SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.

At this point, vardenafil has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for use in men. Further studies in women with primary or secondary sexual dysfunction may reveal other populations and medical conditions that are responsive to vardenafil treatment. This report suggests that augmentation with vardenafil may assist some patients with SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.