Antipsychotics and Sexual Dysfunction: Sexual Dysfunction - Part III

Satisfying sexual experience is an essential part of a healthy and enjoyable life for most people. Antipsychotic drugs are among the various factors that affect optimal sexual functioning. Both conventional and novel antipsychotics are associated with significant sexual side effects. This review has...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anil Kumar Mysore Nagaraj, Nagesh Brahmavar Pai, Satheesh Rao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Light House Polyclinic Mangalore 2009-11-01
Series:Online Journal of Health & Allied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ojhas.org/issue31/2009-3-1.htm
Description
Summary:Satisfying sexual experience is an essential part of a healthy and enjoyable life for most people. Antipsychotic drugs are among the various factors that affect optimal sexual functioning. Both conventional and novel antipsychotics are associated with significant sexual side effects. This review has presented various studies comparing different antipsychotic drugs. Dopamine antagonism, increased serum prolactin, serotonergic, adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms are all proposed to be the mechanisms for sexual dysfunction. Drug treatment for this has not given satisfactory long-term results. Knowledge of the receptor pharmacology of an individual antipsychotic will help to determine whether it is more or less likely to cause sexual side effects and its management.
ISSN:0972-5997