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I Am 25 Years Old Male And I Take Invega,

Posted on Tue, 22 Sep 2020

Question: I am 25 years old male and I take invega, abilify, and benztropine to treat schizophrenia. There were some major changes in the drug many times but basically I took antipsychotics since I was 18. I don't remember exactly how I would perform in bed before that age since I never had sex at that age but now I am certain that I have relativly minor erectile dysfunction. When I was 20 years old I only took abilify (a dopamine blocker that is relativly weak) and I had a girlfriend. However, I was just a little bit concerned with my performance and always had viagra before bed. When I turned 22 I abused methampentamine for a month and than came a relapse of schizophrenia. Since than, invega, a stronger dopamine blocker, was added by my psychiatrist and because of schizophrenia, I was too depressed to worry about having sex with anybody but now I know that I can't have sex with anybody even with viagra. Viagra seems to have zero effect. My latest girlfriend left me because I didn't have sex with her and now I am obsessed with getting this erection thing right. I stopped smoking 2 months ago and exercise everyday for an hour. I stopped masterbating and I have to do something with the antipsychotics. As a urologist, what do you think I should do? Should I give up on sex life and become homosexual, or, whatever??

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You need to consult your treating Psychiatrist

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query .

Based on the facts that you have posted you have been diagnosed and being treated for Schizophrenia by qualified Psychiatrist and facing sexual problems like loss of libido and Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

All these problems are due to side effects of anti Psychotic drugs .

You need to consult your treating Psychiatrist to modify treatment .However these issues are bound to be there as long as you will be taking these medications and have to accept reality .

If you have intense desire to have sexual life you may consult qualified Urologist to explore using Intra Cavernosal Injection ( To be injected in Penis) of Caverjet which will help to achieve hard erection to have a sex .But it limitations in using it only twice a week .

Normally we advise these injections in young married adults .

Hope I have answered your query ,please feel free to ask if you have more questions,I shall be happy to help you
Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Hmm okay. Thank you very much:) I have to say that my psychiatrist is very stubborn and doesn't give more than 3 minutes for one patient since she's very busy. I once argued about antipsychotics with her and she almost called a security gaurd to get me out. The problem is both invega and abilify seems mandatory to prevent relpase. I am thinking about taking invega off just day or two before having sex. Since talking with her doesn't work, I will just stop taking invega before sex. What do you think? Also, I'd like to know when dopamine level rise to normal after quitting smoking. Google says it's three months, and some urologists say it takes more than 6 months.

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I can not make any suggestions about modifying treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .

As I have very little knowledge and experience about anti psychotic drugs I can not make any suggestions you have asked for regarding modifying taking these drugs .

Since side effects of these drugs last for long period stopping taking it for couple of days prior to having sex will not help at all .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr Patil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar