title: Dopamine partial agonism in antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual dysfunction is a frequent side effect associated with antipsychotic treatment. It is known to be caused by the hyperprolactinemia that results from the D2 receptor blockade that is characteristic of antipsychotic drugs. The D2 partial dopaminergic agonism of aripiprazole could explain why its use does not usually cause this side effect, and may even revert it when added to another antipsychotic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the cases of two patients treated with D2 dopaminergic antagonists for a first episode of psychosis, who complained of amenorrhea and erectile dysfunction during follow-up. After the addition of aripiprazole to their previous antipsychotic treatment, these side effects reverted without a negative impact on treatment adherence or therapeutic efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharmacological treatments with the potential of reverting sexual dysfunction secondary to antipsychotic treatment can improve compliance and quality of life of our patients, especially in those who are younger and are being treated for a first psychotic episode. In the cases reported here, the use of aripiprazole as an adjunctive treatment resulted in the disappearance of the undesirable effects without affecting the efficacy already achieved with the previous antipsychotic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Psiquiatría, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, España. nataliamr79@gmail.com
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mesa
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de la Oliva
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bagney
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jimenez-Arriero
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Jimenez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D018967:Risperidone