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Pharmacopsychiatry 2017; 50(02): 74-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-116323
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Adjunctive Aripiprazole on Sexual Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Open-Label Study

J. Fujioi
1   Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
2   Kasadera-Seichiryo Hospital, Yunoki, Kasadera-cho, Minami-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
,
K. Iwamoto
1   Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
,
M. Banno
1   Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
3   Seichiryo Hospital, Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
,
T. Kikuchi
4   Kikuchi Mental Clinic, Siroato, Usikubo-cho, Toyokawa, Aichi, Japan
,
B. Aleksic
1   Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
,
N. Ozaki
1   Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 04 June 2016
revised 23 August 2016

accepted 25 August 2016

Publication Date:
22 September 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Although adjunctive aripiprazole improves hyperprolactinemia, sufficient evidence for its effects on sexual dysfunction has not been obtained. We assessed the usefulness of adjunctive aripiprazole for schizophrenia with sexual dysfunction.

Methods: 22 Japanese schizophrenia patients with antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia and sexual dysfunction were enrolled, and 19 of them completed the study. Aripiprazole was administrated in a flexible titration schedule to participants according to the judgment of each doctor, and patients were followed for 24 weeks. Serum prolactin, Clinical Global Impression Scales-Severity (CGI-S), and Nagoya Sexual Function Questionnaire (NSFQ) were measured at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results: Prolactin at week 4 and later was significantly lower than that at baseline. Compared to baseline, we observed a significant improvement in total sexual dysfunction as measured by NSFQ at week 8 and later. In males, erectile dysfunction was significantly reduced at week 24. In females, menstrual irregularity and galactorrhea were significantly reduced at week 24. CGI-S did not significantly change.

Discussion: Although the small sample size is a limitation in this study, adjunctive aripiprazole may be useful treatment for sexual dysfunction including hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia.

Key words

adjunctive treatment - aripiprazole - hyperprolactinemia - schizophrenia - sexual dysfunction
 

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