Sexual dysfunction in male patients taking antipsychotics.

BACKGROUND: Antipsychotics drugs are known to cause sexual dysfunction and are said to be a major cause of non-compliance/poor compliance. There is no local data on the subject although clinical observations indicate that sexual dysfunction in patients on neuroleptics is relatively common. This study was carried out to ascertain the frequency of sexual dysfunction in patients taking antipsychotics medications as no study has been done locally on the subject. METHODS: Sexual dysfunction was assessed in fifty patients receiving antipsychotic medication and fifty normal controls using Arizona Sexual experience scale (ASEX). RESULTS: Erectile dysfunction (48%) and ejaculatory dysfunction (45%) are the two most prominent sexual dysfunction affecting patients taking antipsychotics and the difference from controls is statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction among male patients on antipsychotic medications is relatively common.