Comparison of sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenic patients maintainedon treatment with classical antipsychotics versus clozapine

Background: Antipsychotic treatment is frequently associated with sexual dy sfunction. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare s exual function and behavior in male schizophrenic patients who regularly ta ke either classical neuroleptic drugs or the prototypical atypical antipsyc hotic agent, clozapine. Method: Participants included 60 schizophrenic male patients (DSM-IV criter ia); 30 maintained on treatment with classical antipsychotics and 30 on tre atment with clozapine. The patients were evaluated with a detailed 18-item sexual function questionnaire. Results: Both groups reported sexual dysfunction, although scores were sign ificantly higher, indicating better functioning, in the clozapine-treated g roup in the domains of orgasmic function (number of orgasms per month, p = .037 frequency of orgasm during sex, p = .046), enjoyment of sex (p = .013) , and sexual satisfaction (p = .0004). Equivocal results were obtained for the desire parameters. Conclusion: Maintenance therapy with the atypical neuroleptic clozapine may be associated with a lesser degree of sexual dysfunction than the classica l antipsychotics in male outpatients with chronic schizophrenia.