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Priapism associated with two atypical antipsychotic agents
1G.V. Montgomery VA medical Center, Jackson 39216, USA. roy.reeves@med.va.gov
Pharmacotherapy
|August 14, 2002
Summary
Antipsychotic medications like risperidone and ziprasidone can cause priapism, a prolonged penile erection. Patients experiencing this side effect may need to switch medications to resolve the condition.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Urology
Background:
- Priapism is a known, though rare, side effect associated with several antipsychotic medications.
- The mechanism is typically not attributed to alpha-adrenergic blockade, the common pathway for other antipsychotic-induced priapism cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of priapism in a young male patient during treatment with two different antipsychotic agents.
- To highlight the potential vulnerability of certain patients to antipsychotic-induced priapism.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 22-year-old African-American man is presented.
- The patient experienced priapism while on risperidone and later on ziprasidone.
- Resolution of priapism was achieved by discontinuing these specific antipsychotics.
Main Results:
- The patient developed priapism on two separate occasions, linked to risperidone and ziprasidone treatment.
- Discontinuation and substitution of antipsychotic medications led to the resolution of priapism.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for priapism as a potential adverse effect of risperidone and ziprasidone.
- Individual patient susceptibility to antipsychotic-induced priapism may vary, necessitating careful prescribing practices.