Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 10/1/2009

Question
dear sir,
i showed to a psychitirist in qatar he prescribed me cipralex 10 mg daily once i am taking it since three days how will it be for my depression and anxiety, moreover i will go for therapy in coming time, i heared that cipralex does effect to libido rarely i creates only delay in ejaculation.how will it be for my depression?

Answer
Dear Majid

It is very good for depression and perhaps anxiety in most patients although it is related to some of the drugs you have been taking in the past (although I cannot them all but I think you have had sertraline and venlafaxine ie the SSRIs)but not mirtazepine or the the tricyclics. Unfortunately it can cause a decrease in libido in about 15-20% of patients. Impotence is much less common as is delayed ejaculation (the latter is usually not a problem in most men, when it occurs).

See how you go with it - you soon will have been through most of the present antidepressants and antianxiety drugs and I am glad you are seriously considering psychotherapy as I am sure you can benefit from this.

Regards

Alan Galbraith