Sexual disturbances during clozapine and haloperidol treatment for schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and course of sexual disturbances associated with clozapine and haloperidol and their potential influence on compliance with medication regimens in patients with schizophrenia.


METHODS
The authors prospectively investigated 153 patients with schizophrenia who received clozapine (N = 100) or haloperidol (N = 53) in a drug monitoring program.


RESULTS
The frequency of sexual disturbances was lower in female patients than in male patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients taking haloperidol and those taking clozapine in the frequency of these disturbances. Clozapine plasma levels had a significant effect on diminished sexual desire and functional disturbances in male patients. Functional disturbances and diminished sexual desire did not have any influence on compliance in patients taking either haloperidol or clozapine.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no statistically significant difference between haloperidol and clozapine in regard to their propensity to induce sexual side effects.
Hummer
M
M
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Innsbruck University Clinics, Austria. Martina.Hummer@uibk.ac.at
Kemmler
G
G
Kurz
M
M
Kurzthaler
I
I
Oberbauer
H
H
Fleischhacker
W W
WW
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007989:Libido / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine; D006220:Haloperidol