Buproprion and Sexual Dysfunction
To the Editor: As a clinician, I was disappointed by the negative results reported by Prakash S. Masand, M.D., et al. (1) about sustained-released bupropion for the treatment of sexual dysfunction induced by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, while awaiting the results of larger studies using the higher doses of bupropion that these authors called for, we can take some consolation in the fact that this study was “supported in part by a grant from GlaxoSmithKline” (p. 807), the makers of sustained-released bupropion. At a time when there are concerns about the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on pharmacologic research and practice (2), it is nice to see that a study in which the company’s product did not fare well was published rather than having it end up in the proverbial file drawer.
1. Masand PS, Ashton AK, Gupta S, Frank B: Sustained-release bupropion for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. Am J Psychiatry 2001; 158:805-807Link, Google Scholar
2. Cho MK, Bero LA: The quality of drug studies published in symposium proceedings. Ann Intern Med 1996; 124:485-489Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar
