Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.268

Effect of Vortioxetine on Reduced Sexual Desire – A Case Report

Ivan Mustapić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia *
Tonći Mastelić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Dora Lovrinčević ; Split-Dalmatia County Health Centre, Kavanjinova 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Eliana Burilović ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Trpimir Glavina ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Davor Lasić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant with
favorable effects on depressive and cognitive
symptoms. Owing to its unique mechanism of action
as a serotonergic modulator and stimulator,
it is described in the literature as a medication
with a lower frequency of sexual side effects compared
with classical SSRI antidepressants such as
sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine. The aim
of this report is to present the case of a female
patient who developed decreased libido during
treatment with vortioxetine. The patient, in her late twenties, presented for psychiatric treatment
due to anxiety-depressive difficulties and borderline
personality disorder, with previously unsuccessful
attempts at treatment with various antidepressants
and insufficient therapeutic adherence.
Treatment with vortioxetine was initiated
at a dose of 5 mg daily, with gradual titration to
10 mg and 15 mg daily and outpatient follow-up.
After six weeks of therapy, there was a reduction
in anxiety-depressive symptoms, less frequent
mood swings, and a subjective improvement in
her mental state. At the same time, the patient,
for the first time, noticed a decrease in libido at
the dose of 10 mg daily. Despite this, she continued
the therapy due to the good clinical response,
and after increasing the dose to 15 mg, there was
further improvement without additional worsening
of sexual dysfunction. Although vortioxetine
is considered an antidepressant with a favorable
profile of sexual side effects and comparable to
placebo in most studies, available clinical trial
data indicate a low frequency of sexual adverse
effects, including the rarely reported decreased
libido, with a possible slight increase in incidence
with higher doses. This case report points to the
possibility of decreased libido during treatment
with vortioxetine, even at lower therapeutic doses,
underscoring the importance of individual
monitoring of sexual functioning in clinical practice.

Keywords

vortioxetine; sexual desire; antidepressants; side effects; borderline personality disorder

Hrčak ID:

352958

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352958

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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