In: Anatomy and Physiology
Antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol and chlorpromazine, block activity at dopamine synapses. Discuss any side effects that antipsychotics might also have on sexual behavior.
Antipsychotic drug has side effects on sexual behavior means it causes sexual dysfunction.
Sexual dysfunction includes low sexual desire, difficulty maintaining an erection (for men), difficulty achieving orgasm. This occurs due to the elevation of prolactin which causes decrease in libido and the above mentioned sexual dysfunction and the most important factor regulating prolactin is the inhibitory control exerted by dopamine. Any agent that blocks dopamine receptors in a non-selective manner can cause elevation of serum prolactin.
Antipsychotics drugs, block D2 receptors that is subtype of dopamine receptors as well as a specific subtype of serotonin receptor, the 5HT2A receptor. It is believed that this combined action at D2 and 5HT2A receptors treats both the positive and the negative symptoms.
This drugs causes other side effects like tremor, muscle spam, tardive dyskinesia, a disorder that causes repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements.