Is Buspirone use safe for SSRI‑induced sexual side effects?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was prescribed Fluvoxamine 100 mg a day for my ego-dystonic homosexuality, major depression, and OCD. Also, I am on Oxcarbazepine 300 mg twice a day for my lack without any reason continuously for a long period of time. Now, I started using Buspirone 5 mg for sexual side effects. I did some research online and took self-medication. Please tell me what causes me to laugh like that. Do SSRIs help to change my sexual orientation? Is using Buspirone safe for sexual side effects?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

No medicine or counseling can alter sexual orientation. Be clear about this. Any attempt to change orientation by a doctor is considered unethical by professional organizations, including the Indian Psychiatric Society, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Health Organization. All therapies are aimed at making you comfortable with whatever your orientation is.

There should be no shame in accepting your orientation. No, Buspirone does not have any sexual side effects. But the dose you are taking is inadequate. Consult a specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and increase the dosage with consent. Other options include adding Bupropion (antidepressant), Mirtazapine (antidepressant), or Cyproheptadine (antihistamine).

Depending upon the exact nature of the sexual side effect, more specific remedies can be suggested. Regarding your laughing problem, I will need more information about it to comment. Please answer the following questions:

Long period means how long?
Is there anything specific that precipitates your laugh?
What happens if you try to stop it?
Is it associated with any specific thought or act?

Kindly revert with the answers to the above questions.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.