Sexual Dysfunction Due to Psychotropic Medications

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2016 Sep;39(3):427-63. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2016.04.006. Epub 2016 Jul 2.

Abstract

Sexual functioning is important to assess in patients with psychiatric illness as both the condition and associated treatment may contribute to sexual dysfunction (SD). Antidepressant medications, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antianxiety agents may be associated with SD related to drug mechanism of action. Sexual adverse effects may be related to genetic risk factors, impact on neurotransmitters and hormones, and psychological elements. Effective strategies to manage medication-induced sexual dysfunction are initial choice of a drug unlikely to cause SD, switching to a different medication, and adding an antidote to reverse SD. Appropriate interventions should be determined on a clinical case-by-case basis.

Keywords: Antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction; Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction; Psychotropic adverse effects; Psychotropic-induced sexual dysfunction; Sexual dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs