Erectile dysfunction and antipsychotics

Sexual side effects associated with antipsychotic medications constitute an understudied set of side effects that diminish a patient's quality of life, and lead to noncompliance with treatment. Male patients frequently report disturbances in erectile and ejaculatory functioning, as well as changes in libido. The capacity to trigger sexual dysfunction differs from one antipsychotic to another. Clinicians prescribing antipsychotic medications should be familiar with the classification, evaluation and treatment of these side effects. The purpose of this study is to assess the occurrence of erectile dysfunction for 5 classes of antipsychotics (Haloperidol, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Amisulpride and Fluphenazine decanoate) in a population of 120 patients, using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF 5).