Psychotropics and sexual dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Sexual dysfunction (SD) is common in patients taking antipsychotics, and is the most bothersome symptom and adverse drug effect compromising treatment compliance. Mechanisms involved in psychotropics-induced SD are either largely unknown or poorly understood. The aim of this review is to present an updated analysis of SD associated with the use of psychotropic drugs in psychiatric patients.


RESULTS
Contemporary evidence from available studies demonstrates that SD rates are drug-related rather than drug-class specific, and that these rates vary widely. Mechanisms involved in psychotropics-induced SD are either largely unknown or poorly understood. Our understanding of psychotropics-induced SD is limited by the inability to differentiate whether these effects are really drug-induced or due to different inclusion criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Rigorous research, basic and clinical, is needed to understand the exact incidence, severity and mechanisms involved in the development of SD induced by various psychotropic treatment regimens.
Greta and John Hansen Chair in Men's Health Research, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery Associate Scientist, Neuroscience University of Ottawa, Canada.
Anthony J
AJ
Bella
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery University of Ottawa, Department of Andrology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Rany
R
Shamloul
psychotropics; sexual dysfunction