Priapism (painful erection) as an adverse drug event of antipsychotics and trazodon

What is it about?

In this paper we present a case series of drug-induced priapism. Drugs involved were various antipsychotics and the antidepressant trazodone. These drug presumably affect the same receptor (alpha receptor) and can cause priapism. We show several cases in which priapism occurred under different circumstances, e.g. after first dose vs. during longterm treatment.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This adverse event might come with early warning signs (prolonged erections). However, due to the sensitive nature of the problem patients might not want to talk about it. However, priapism is serious, potentially leading to erectyle dysfunction or - in extreme cases - to amputation.

Perspectives