Links among paroxetine-induced sexual dysfunctions, gender, and CYP2D6 activity

The aim of the study was to compare the distribution of therapeutic efficacy and sexual dysfunction during maintenance paroxetine treatment in 17 males and 38 females genotyped and phenotyped to determine their CYP2D6 metabolic status. Clinical results were monitored on scales Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness Scale (CGIS) and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX). The phenotype procedure showed 7 males and 12 females with extensive metabolic status (EM) and 10 males and 26 females with poor metabolic status (PM). No variation in therapeutic efficacy between male and female subjects classified as PM and those marked as EM was found. A significantly higher rate of sexual dysfunction (p = 0.01) was recorded among females with a PM phenotype.