Clonazepam-related sexual dysfunction in male veterans with PTSD.
Medication-induced sexual dysfunction can significantly interfere with patients' quality of life and lead to poor compliance. This retrospective study examined the records of 100 male veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) selected in alphabetical order from an active treatment file of 230 patients. Forty-two patients had received clonazepam (mean maximum dose: 3.4 +/- 1.6 mg/day) at some point during their treatment. Of these, 18 (42.9%) complained of significant sexual dysfunction (primarily erectile dysfunction). Eighty-four patients received diazepam (mean maximum dose: 52.1 +/- 29.7 mg/day), nine received alprazolam (mean maximum dose: 5.2 +/- 2.8 mg/day) and eight received lorazepam (mean maximum dose: 3.8 +/- 2.4 mg/day). None of these patients complained of sexual dysfunction during treatment with these three other benzodiazepines. Our findings suggest that benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam in the current study, can be a cause of sexual dysfunction in many male patients. Prospective studies comparing the overall clinical utility of various benzodiazepines are indicated in this and other clinic populations.
Fossey
M D
MD
Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA.
Hamner
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*
D018757:GABA Modulators; D002998:Clonazepam; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam; D000525:Alprazolam