Review article
SEXUAL SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTIPSYCHOTICS
NINOSLAV MIMICA
; Vrapče Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Croatia
SUZANA UZUN
; Vrapče Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
OLIVER KOZUMPLIK
; Vrapče Psychiatric Hospital, Zagreb, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
MARIJA KUŠAN JUKIĆ
; Dr. Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Zagreb, Croatia
STIPE DRMIĆ
; Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Investigations have shown that sexual dysfunction as a side effect of treatment with psychopharmaceuticals signifi cantly infl uences the quality of life and maintenance of relationships between partners. Results of investigations show that symptoms of sexual dysfunction that occur during treatment upset psychiatric patients more than extrapyramidal symptoms. Sexual dysfunction is described in 50% of female patients during therapy with psychopharmaceuticals. Despite the opinion of the majority of psychiatrists that sexual functioning is important for patients, two-thirds of psychiatrists usually do not ask patients questions about sexual functioning. Therefore, sexual dysfunction as a side effect of psychopharmaceuticals frequently is inadequately recognized and treated. Atypical antipsychotics have numerous potential advantages in comparison
with typical antipsychotics regarding their effect on sexual functioning. Attention should be focused on hyperprolactinemia during long-term treatment, especially when applying high dosages, females, persons with earlier onset of illness, and in severely ill patients. According to results of investigations, data indicate that the connection between sexual dysfunction and psychopathology referred only to women. Therefore, considering gender-specifi c relations between psychopathology and sexual problems is elementary during medical care for patients. Different types of sexual dysfunction, including erectile, ejaculatory and orgasmic, have been described in men during treatment with antipsychotics. Sexual dysfunction induced by antipsychotics should be addressed, taking into consideration sensitivity and individual needs of each patient. In conclusion, we may say that sexual dysfunctions are an important and often poorly recognized problem in the treatment with newer antipsychotics. The probability of the occurrence of sexual disturbances is decreased by correct choice of atypical antipsychotic with appropriate pharmacological profi le. Future investigations of new medications should take the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions into consideration.
Keywords
antipsychotics; hyperprolactinemia; sexual; side effects; treatment
Hrčak ID:
218944
URI
Publication date:
4.4.2019.
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