Thousands of common drugs often have a laundry list of side effects that could accompany them – warning those who take them of weight gain, fatigue or headaches.
But while millions of people may know to expect these, some may not realize that the finer print also includes increased sex drive or hypersexuality.
Hypersexuality, or compulsive sexual behavior, is an intense focus on sexual fantasies, urges or behaviors that can be difficult to control.
These can cause stress or lead to health issues, as well as interfere with your job or relationships – it may even cause you to cheat.
Medications can influence people in a myriad of ways, and every person taking a drug will have a different experience, but a pharmacist has revealed to DailyMail.com which drugs could cause a spike in your sex drive.
Certain drugs could cause hypersexuality in people taking them, leading to an insatiable sexual appetite that may cause them to cheat on their partner
There are many factors at play when it comes to libido, including physical and mental health, lifestyle and relationships. But biology – the body’s hormones and brain chemistry – play a major role.
Sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, regulate libido, so hormonal changes throughout life or medications that affect these factors contribute to the ebb and flow of sexual desire.
Dr Hussain Ahman, a consultant at Cick2Pharmacy, told DailyMail.com: ‘Some medications can have the side effect of increasing libido, and this is due to how they interact with the body’s chemistry.
‘For example, dopamine agonists… work by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, and since dopamine is closely linked to the brain’s reward and pleasure systems, it can increase sexual desire.’
Stimulants – Adderall, Concerta, Vyvanse
Approximately 41million prescriptions were written for Adderall in 2021 – the latest year data is available – and there were millions more for other stimulants used to treat ADHD.
Adderall contains the stimulants amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, which work on the body’s central nervous system to increase energy and focus.
Stimulants enhance the feel-good hormone dopamine in the brain, as well as norepinephrine, which influences arousal.
While some users may experience a decline in libido, others report a huge spike in sexual desire.
Posters on Reddit complain of arousal so ‘relentless’ and heightened it interferes with work and can be ‘insanely uncomfortable and unmanageable.’
Others admitted to ‘crazy masturbation binges’ and said their sex drive ‘intensified to the point where I’m really concerned and can’t get any relief.’
A 2020 review of men taking stimulant medications found they are associated with hypersexuality and excessive masturbation.
A similar stimulate also prescribed to treat ADHD called Vyvanse has also shown an association with hypersexuality.
Sertraline – Zoloft
Zoloft, the brand name for the drug sertraline, is in the class of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), used to treat anxiety, OCD, panic disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder.
There were approximately 39million sertraline prescriptions written in 2021.
While SSRIs are frequently associated with a loss of libido, there is increasing evidence that sertraline could induce hypersexuality and experts say sexual side effects are highly prevalent but underreported in patients taking SSRIs.
A case report of a 42-year-old taking sertraline details how the man developed an increased sex drive, constant sexual thoughts and compulsive masturbating throughout the day, including strong urges to masturbate at work.
The case report said his hypersexuality was greatly affecting his marriage and career.
A separate report detailed how a 55-year-old man taking sertraline had a heightened sexual desire and an increase in demands for sex, ‘resulting in spousal distress to the point of marital discord.’
There are multiple online forums discussing the spike in arousal, with one notable post titled: ‘Sex drive goes BOOM. Anyone else feeling hyper sexual on Zoloft??’
Aripiprazole – Abilify
There are about 8million prescriptions for Abilify written every year.
It is used to treat a myriad of mental health disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as Tourette’s syndrome and behavioral problems associated with autism.
The drug works by regulating dopamine levels in the brain and lists compulsive sexual urges as a side effect.
The FDA warned in 2016 of impulse control issues in people taking aripiprazole – the active drug in Abilify.
The agency said: ‘The FDA is warning that compulsive or uncontrollable urges to gamble, binge eat, shop and have sex have been reported with the use of…Abilify.’
An analysis of the FDA Adverse Reporting System and available medical literature found five percent of the adverse events reported from people taking Abilify involved compulsive sexual behavior.
A Reddit user reported masturbating two to three times per day after starting to take the drug and participating in risky sexual behaviors, such as hiring prostitutes for sex.
Another said they noticed ‘a substantial, almost problematic sexual compulsion’ about two weeks after starting Abilify.
They posted: ‘I’m worried that I may end up doing something I wouldn’t normally do because of [Abilify].’
NDRIs – Zyban and Wellbutrin
Used as an antidepressant and a smoking cessation aid, Zyban was prescribed 29million times in 2021 – the latest data available.
Zyban, and similar drugs like Wellbutrin, is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI).
Dr Ahmad told this website: ‘Unlike many other antidepressants that can dampen sexual desire, Zyban impacts neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine and can lead to an enhancement in sexual drive.’
It works by boosting levels of those hormones in the brain and contains the active ingredient bupropion.
One patient on Reddit who was taking bupropion said the drug ‘jacked my libido up to 11.’
They added: ‘I was horny all the time to the point where I could barely walk down a hallway without exploding. I made quite a few risky decisions.’
Pramipexole – Mirapex
A common drug used to treat restless leg syndrome (RLS) – a condition that causes a nearly irresistible compulsion to move your legs – and Parkinson’s disease, Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist, which means it activates dopamine in the brain.
While there is no data on how many people take the drug, RLS effects 33million Americans and 1million Americans have Parkinson’s disease.
Some side effects include fatigue, nausea and weakness, but a serious one people have reported is addictive and compulsive sexual behaviors.
One study reported an association between the drug and compulsive masturbation, which has led some takers to self gratify up to eight times per day.
One patient detailed in a case study taking Pramipexole for RLS would have to excuse himself from the dinner table at home or in restaurants or retreat to the bathroom at friends’ houses to masturbate.
He would also wake his partner up in the middle of the night ‘to satisfy his needs.’
Another patient taking the drug for Parkinson’s disease said he experienced severe hypersexuality.
He spent $100,000 – his life savings – on sex in one year, including going to strip clubs, viewing porn obsessively and hiring prostitutes.
The 60-year-old added his behavior affected his relationship with his wife and children: ‘My behavior resulted in my marriage breakdown… My wife and I are now separated.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk