title: Add-on mirtazapine improves orgasmic functioning in patients with schizophrenia treated with first-generation antipsychotics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual dysfunction, common in schizophrenia, may be further exaggerated by antipsychotics, especially those of First Generation (FGAs), and antidepressants, such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRs). Mirtazapine, an antidepressant characterized by its different action mechanism compared with that of the majority of other antidepressants, may improve SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in patients with depression. It is unknown, however, whether mirtazapine improves sexual functioning in schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study randomly assigned FGA-treated patients with schizophrenia to receive either an add-on mirtazapine (n = 20) or a placebo (n = 19) for 6 weeks. Sexual functioning was prospectively measured using five relevant items from the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser side-effect rating scale (UKU-SERS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Orgasmic function improved with statistical significance in the mirtazapine group (p = .03), with no changes in any other sexual functions in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Add-on mirtazapine appears to relieve orgasmic dysfunction in FGA-treated patients with schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: a Kellokoski Hospital, Kellokoski, and University of Helsinki , Finland.
authors.forename: Viacheslav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Terevnikov
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , Helsinki University Central Hospital, and University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.
authors.forename: Jan-Henry
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Stenberg
authors.affiliation: c Department of Forensic Psychiatry , University of East Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital , Finland.|d Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research , National Institute for Health and Welfare , Helsinki , Finland.|e Department of Clinical Neuroscience , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tiihonen
authors.affiliation: f Department of Psychiatry , University of Petrozavodsk , Petrozavodsk , Russia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burkin
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , Helsinki University Central Hospital, and University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.
authors.forename: Grigori
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joffe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D009948:Orgasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine
keywords: FGA; Mirtazapine; RCT; orgasmic dysfunction; schizophrenia; sexual dysfunction