Recurrent Episode of Priapism due to Quetiapine in a Bipolar Patient
Abstract
Priapism is a rare side effect of anti-psychotics. Both typical and atypical antipsychotics can cause priapism. Priapism means persistent and most of the times painful penile erection not associated with sexual stimulation. Priapism can cause urinary retention, cavernosa fibrosis, gangrene, and even impotency if it is not treated properly in time. About 50% of priapism patients end up having impotency1. Drugs account for 25-40% of priapism2. The most common drugs causing priapism are anti-hypertensives and anti-psychotics1. In anti-psychotics, second-generation antipsychotics are more associated with priapism. But the information in the literature is limited. Most common anti-psychotics causing priapism are Risperidone, Olanzapine, and Quetiapine. We are reporting a case of recurrent episode of priapism due to Quetiapine use.
References
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4. M.J. Geraci, S.L. McCoy, P.M. Crum, et al. Anti-psychoticinduced priapism in an HIV patient: a cytochrome P450- mediated drug interaction Int J Emerg Med, 3 (2010), pp. 81–84.
