Aripiprazole for drug-induced sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic males
GAO Li-juan
GUO Hua-gui
LIANG Zhen-tao
ZHONG Xiao-xiao
ZHU Jin-cai
YANG Yu
Abstract：Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of aripiprazole on sexual dysfunction induced by amisulpride or risperidone in male patients with schizophrenia.Methods:This study included 75 male patients with drug-induced secondary sexual dysfunction after treated with amisulpride or risperidone for first-episode schizophrenia between October 2014 and October 2016.We substituted aripiprazole for amisulpride or risperidone,gradually increased the dose from 10 to 30 mg/d within 2 weeks,and maintained 30 mg/d from the 3rd week.At 4 and 8 weeks after medication,we evaluated the sexual function of the patients,measured the levels of serum prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T),obtained the scores of the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS),recorded adverse reactions,and compared the parameters with those before aripiprazole administration.Results:Compared with pre-aripiprazole administration,the patients showed significant increases after 4 weeks of medication in the sexual function score (24.3 ± 2.1 vs 32.6 ± 3.6,P ＜ 0.05) and T level ([13.3 ± 2.7] vs [17.4 ± 3.0] mmol/L,P ＜ 0.05) but a decreased level of PRL ([38.5 ± 10.5] vs [27.9 ± 8.2] ng/ml,P ＜ 0.05).At 8 weeks,the sexual function score and serum PRL were both restored to the baseline levels at admission,and the erectile function score,ejaculation score,total score,and serum T level even exceeded the baseline,though with no statistically significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).In comparison with pre-aripiprazole administration,the PANSS score was significantly decreased at 4 weeks after medication (62.1 ± 4.9 vs 57.2 ± 5.5,P ＜ 0.05) and even lower at 8 weeks (51.2 ± 5.2) (P ＜ 0.05).The incidence rates of medication-related excitation,dizziness,insomnia,and loss of appetite were 6.7％,5.3％,4.0％ and 1.3％ respectively,and no other serious adverse reactions were observed.Conclusion:Aripiprazole is effective for the treatment of drug-induced sexual dysfunction in schizophrenic men by continuously alleviating their positive and negative symptoms and meanwhile improving their sexual function and restoring their sexual hormone levels.
Keywords：schizophreniasexual dysfunctionaripiprazolesexual function scorereproductive hormonePositive and Negative Symptoms Scale
Publication Date：2017-07-02
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 615-619 )