Posted by King Vultan on January 9, 2005, at 0:44:40
In reply to Nortriptyline/Trileptal: BETTER orgasms?!, posted by tygereyes on January 8, 2005, at 13:40:16
> I'm actually pre-med and planning on becoming a psychiatrist, so I know a fair amount about meds (from research as well as personal experience!) but this is a side effect that has utterly baffled me.
>
> I have noticed that when I'm on Trileptal and nortriptyline I have MUCH better orgasms (and an increased sex drive as well) than when I'm on any other meds or even off meds completely! I'm not sure which med this is due to, since I've never been on one without the other, but has anyone else noticed this on either med? It is DEFINITELY a welcomed side effect but I have no idea WHY it happens, when so many other similar meds either have no effect on the sex drive, or completely destroy it. Any ideas?
Yes, I did notice this on nortriptyline by itself. I think some of it has to do with nortriptyline blockading serotonin-2A receptors, which releases dopamine and may help libido for some people. Nortriptyline also increases norepinephrine transmission by blockading reuptake, and since norepinephrine is an essential neurotransmitter required for orgasm, this may also have a positive effect. Finally, nortriptyline's blockade of alpha-1 receptors can have unpredictable effects on orgasm (and some related things), but in my own case, alpha-1 antagonists like this tend to have positive sexual effects.Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:439423
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050108/msgs/439641.html