Update on Sexual Dysfunction Associated with Psychotropic Medications and Its Treatment

Abstract

The goal of this review was to evaluate recent developments in sexual dysfunction associated with psychotropic medications and its management. Sexual dysfunction associated with psychotropic medications is a serious clinical problem which occurs mostly with antidepressants, especially serotonergic ones, and antipsychotics, especially those causing hyperprolactinemia. Sexual dysfunction(s) seems to be associated to a significantly lesser degree with some newer psychotropic medications, e.g., vilazodone, vortioxetine, and agomelatine among antidepressants, and aripiprazole and lurasidone among antipsychotics. There have been no significant new developments in management of sexual dysfunction(s) associated with psychotropic medications with the exception of using newer medications or switching to them. A new clinical phenomenon—post serotonin reuptake inhibitors sexual dysfunction—has emerged as a difficult management issue. Sexual dysfunction associated with psychotropic medications continues to be an important issue requiring further research to provide solid evidence for regulatory agencies and for clinicians.