title: Sexual dysfunction with antihypertensive and antipsychotic agents.
abstract: The physiology of the normal sexual response, epidemiology of sexual dysfunction, and the pharmacologic mechanisms involved in antihypertensive- and antipsychotic-induced problems with sexual function are discussed, with recommendations for patient management. The physiologic mechanisms involved in the normal sexual response include neurogenic, psychogenic, vascular, and hormonal factors that are coordinated by centers in the hypothalamus, limbic system, and cerebral cortex. Sexual dysfunction is frequently attributed to antihypertensive and antipsychotic agents and is a cause of noncompliance. Drug-induced effects include diminished libido, delayed orgasm, ejaculatory disturbances, gynecomastia, impotence, and priapism. The pharmacologic mechanisms proposed to account for these adverse effects include adrenergic inhibition, adrenergic-receptor blockade, anticholinergic properties, and endocrine and sedative effects. The most frequently reported adverse effect on sexual function with the antihypertensive agents is impotence. It is seen most often with methyldopa, guanethidine, clonidine, and propranolol. In contrast, the most common adverse effect on sexual function with the antipsychotic agents involves ejaculatory disturbances. Thioridazine, with its potent anticholinergic and alpha-blocking properties, is cited most often. Drug-induced sexual dysfunction may be alleviated by switching to agents with dissimilar mechanisms to alter the observed adverse effect while maintaining adequate control of the patient's disease state.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Talbert
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D003000:Clonidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004232:Diuretics; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006145:Guanethidine / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000009:adverse effects; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects; D012110:Reserpine / Q000009:adverse effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced*; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013148:Spironolactone; D008750:Methyldopa; D012110:Reserpine; D003000:Clonidine; D011224:Prazosin; D006145:Guanethidine