The TGA has slapped new safety warnings on all SSRIs and SNRIs about the risk of persistent sexual dysfunction after treatment cessation.

It advised doctors to consider prior antidepressant use in patients presenting with sexual dysfunction symptoms — such as loss of libido, priapism or genital numbness — and to report cases when an association was suspected.

While the risk of sexual dysfunction following SSRI or SNRI cessation has been considered rare, the regulator said these symptoms “are likely to be under-reported and their prevalence is not currently known”.

“These effects can persist for weeks to years and can significantly harm patients’ quality of life.”