title: Carbamazepine, phenytoin, sex hormones, and sexual function in men with epilepsy.
abstract: We evaluated the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on serum androgen levels and sexual function prospectively for 5 years in 11 men with epilepsy and in 25 patients receiving either CBZ (14 patients) or phenytoin (PHT) (11) monotherapy for > 5 years. Serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels increased and free androgen index (FAI) decreased during CBZ treatment, and these changes correlated with duration of CBZ therapy. Similarly, serum SHBG levels increased and FAI values decreased in patients receiving PHT for > 5 years. CBZ and PHT increase serum SHBG levels, leading to decreased FAI. These drug-related hormonal changes may be the primary cause of hyposexuality common in men with epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Isojärvi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Repo
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pakarinen
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lukkarinen
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Myllylä
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D002220:Carbamazepine; D013739:Testosterone; D010672:Phenytoin