Sexual Side Effects of Antipsychotic Medication: Evaluation and Interventions

Sexual side effects of antipsychotic medications, which include disturbances of erection and ejaculation, changes in libido, and priapism in men and decreased libido, orgasmic dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities in women, are estimated to occur in 30 to 60 percent of persons taking the drugs. The authors review side effects associated with specific drugs and present guidelines for assessing whether sexual dysfunction is related to medication. Pharmacological interventions that may reduce antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction include gradually reducing the dose or changing the type of medication and administering other medications such as bethanchol, neostigmine, cyproheptadine, and bromocriptine that are known to improve sexual dysfunction.