An open-label trial of quetiapine for antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction.
This study evaluated the effect of switching outpatients with schizophrenia and antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction to open-label quetiapine treatment. Secondary objectives were to compare the antipsychotic and prolactin-related effects of quetiapine versus prestudy antipsychotic treatment. Eight patients with at least moderately severe antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction (N = 7 taking risperidone, 4-6 mg/d; N = 1 taking haloperidol, 10 mg/d) were evaluated prospectively after they switched to 6 weeks of quetiapine treatment. The assessments that we used included evaluations of sexual functioning (Arizona Sexual Experience Scale [ASEX]; McGahuey et al., 2000), psychopathology (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS]; Kay, Fiszbeinm, & Opler, 1997), adverse events, and plasma prolactin levels. Quetiapine was associated with clinically and statistically significant improvement in ASEX total scores (p = 0.008) and significantly decreased PANSS total scores (p = 0.03). Plasma prolactin levels tended to decrease after the transition to quetiapine (p = 0.09). Quetiapine appears to offer an option to reduce antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction for outpatients with schizophrenia.
Byerly
Matthew J
MJ
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75390-9101, USA. Matt.Byerly@UTSouthwestern.edu
Lescouflair
Emmeline
E
Weber
Mary T
MT
Bugno
Rhiannon M
RM
Fisher
Robert
R
Carmody
Thomas
T
Varghese
Femina
F
Rush
A John
AJ
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D006220:Haloperidol; D018967:Risperidone