Antipsychotic drugs can induce several sexual side effects. Priapism, one of the side effects, is defined as "the persistent abnormal erection of the penis, which usually occurs without sexual desire". There has been an increasing number reports
recently linking the etiology of priapism with psychotropic medication. The drugs known to be associated with priapism are psychotropic drugs such as trazodone, chlorpromazine, thioridazine as well as antihypertensives, anticoagulants and so on.
The
mechanism of a drug which induces priapism is proposed to be mediated by its alpha-adrenergic blocking effect. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential. Priapism is a severe side effect, which can lead to impotence if prompt diagnosis and
treatment
are not carried out. There are medical and surgical treatments for priapism. The surgical treatments usually involve aspiration, irrigation and the creation of shunt.
We report a case of priapism which developed after two years of chlorpromazine treatment. He is a 20-year-old man with schizophrenia. He experienced tow times of brief episode of prolonged penile erection before developing intractable priapism.
He
was
treated by shunt operation which showed satisfactory relief of priapism. It seemed by this case that duration and dosage of chlorpromazine were not closely related with priapism.
Psychiatrist is needed to give attention to the priapism as one of sexual side effects due to antipsychotics though it is not common.
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