Bupropion efficacy on sexual dysfunction among male patients on methadone maintenance therapy: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction (e.g., erectile dysfunction) seem to be the most common adverse effects of long-term methadone usage. To investigate the efficacy of bupropion on sexual dysfunction in men receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the addiction quitting center of Noor and St. Aliasghar Hospital of Isfahan. Sixty male patients receiving MMT for at least six months and having complaints of sexual dysfunction were randomized to treatment (n = 30) with bupropion (200 mg/day) or placebo (n = 30) for eight weeks. Sexual function and depression scores were assessed by Arizona sexual experience scale, and Beck depression inventory II self-reported questionnaires, respectively. The results showed that bupropion could improve sexual dysfunction (P = 0.006), but it showed no effect on depression severity scale (P > 0.05). Our findings suggest that adding bupropion to the current protocols of MMT could be useful in decreasing sexual dysfunction, thus it may result in more adherence to treatment and better outcome. Further studies with control group and greater sample size are warranted to evaluate the efficacy of bupropion on improvement of each phases of sexual function among MMT patients. RCT has been registered in http://irct.ir, code: IRCT2014032616823N1.