SYMPOSIA

Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Vol: 21, Supplement: 2, 2011 - www.psikofarmakoloji.org
Abstracts of the Invited Speakers
It is a problem when pilots take drugs without consulting authorized doctors for fear of flight suspensions. Adding to that reasons like
the cost of doctor’s visits, losing compensation for the duration of suspension, upsetting supervisors due to disrupted flight schedules
may lead pilots to taking OTC drugs. What’s worse is that they can order DTC drugs over the internet based on unscientific news, articles,
and ads. There are several herbal supplements available in the market today that contain suspicious ingredients that claim to treat pain,
help flu like symptoms, reduce stress, aid sleep, improve sexual performance, reduce blood fat levels, help lose weight, prevent aging, or
provide vitamins and minerals. Therefore the attempts of the pilots to treat themselves create risks and the unknown side effects of those
preparations pose serious problems to flight safety.
Key words: Psychotropic drugs, SSRI, flight safety, pilots
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S102-3
Sexual side effects of psychotropic and other drugs
Adnan Özçetin
Department of Psychiatry, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
E-mail: adozcetin@gmail.com;adozcetin@yahoo.com
Sexual dysfunctions are revealed by different organic and/or psychogenic factors and proceed with the addition of psychogenic reasons
to almost all organic reasons. The organic/psychogenic discrimination of etiologies is crucial in sexual dysfunctions. The most important
and practical way of discrimination is systematic and detailed history. The diffuse type sexual dysfunction established in elderly people
should be considered primarily based on organic reasons. Furthermore alcohol/narcotics, drug abuse, the existence of somatic or systemic
diseases also strengthen the possibility of organic based sexual dysfunction. The drugs and ingredients causing significant sexual side
effects include: Alcohol and narcotics, antihistaminics, decongestants, diuretics, chemotherapeutics, antiulcer drugs, antihypertensives,
anticonvulsants, asthmatic drugs, cardiac drugs, psychotropic drugs (antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics,
sedative hypnotics), and others.
It is mostly difficult even impossible to learn about the sexual side effects of drugs by physicians. Previous studies have revealed that
patients usually didn’t mention the sexual side effects of drugs to their physicians. Therefore the physicians should specifically ask
about the sexual side effects of drugs beside the dosage, preferred effects, and other side effects. Besides, relationship between sexual
dysfunction and other diagnosis and drugs used by the patient should be considered.
There are major unfavorable results of sexual side effects including: Loss of adaptation to drug use, abandonment of drug therapy,
deterioration of psychiatric or other diseases, continuation of sexual dysfunctions, and disruption of quality of life. Significant side effects
exist during the medical treatment of psychiatric disorders. The mechanism of emergence of sexual dysfunction due to medication use
is complicated. Sexual dysfunctions due to medications occur by the effects of medications on peripheral and central neurotransmission.
Serotonin mostly reveals negative effects on sexual behavior. However, its effects can also be positive according to receptor subtype
and localization. Higher prolactin levels cause sexual dysfunction. The increase in dopaminergic activity has positive effects on sexual
desire. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and other psychotropic drugs mostly have negative effects on sexual desire and
behavior. Psychotropic drugs like bupropion, mirtazapine, moclobemid, reboxetine, and tianeptin have little or no sexual side effects.
Even dopaminergic drugs like bupropion have positive effects on sexual desire.
Key words: Drug, sexual dysfunction, side effect
Bulletin of Clinical Psychopharmacology 2011;21(Suppl. 2):S103
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