Michael D Perloff1, David E Thaler, James A Otis. 1. Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Massachusetts, USA. Michael.Perloff@bmc.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gabapentin is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain, seizures, and bipolar disease in older and elderly patients. It is preferred for its well-tolerated side effect profile. Anorgasmia with gabapentin use is reported, with most cases in young patients. CASE SUMMARY: This report describes 4 older patients who experienced anorgasmia while taking gabapentin. Of 15 patients initiated on gabapentin in 18 months, 3 male patients aged 73, 76, and 78 years experienced dose-dependent anorgasmia. A fourth case, a 59-year-old female patient, was noted in another clinic. Orgasm returned when gabapentin was reduced or stopped. Although this is not a blinded study, anorgasmia in 3 of 15 patients newly initiated on gabapentin (3 of 11 in those aged >50 years) seems to represent a much higher incidence than the originally reported <1% in epilepsy clinical trials. Outside of erectile dysfunction, clinicians rarely ask older patients about sexual function. CONCLUSION: Gabapentin-associated anorgasmia may be more common in older patients and appears to be dose dependent.
BACKGROUND:Gabapentin is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain, seizures, and bipolar disease in older and elderly patients. It is preferred for its well-tolerated side effect profile. Anorgasmia with gabapentin use is reported, with most cases in young patients. CASE SUMMARY: This report describes 4 older patients who experienced anorgasmia while taking gabapentin. Of 15 patients initiated on gabapentin in 18 months, 3 male patients aged 73, 76, and 78 years experienced dose-dependent anorgasmia. A fourth case, a 59-year-old female patient, was noted in another clinic. Orgasm returned when gabapentin was reduced or stopped. Although this is not a blinded study, anorgasmia in 3 of 15 patients newly initiated on gabapentin (3 of 11 in those aged >50 years) seems to represent a much higher incidence than the originally reported <1% in epilepsy clinical trials. Outside of erectile dysfunction, clinicians rarely ask older patients about sexual function. CONCLUSION:Gabapentin-associated anorgasmia may be more common in older patients and appears to be dose dependent.
Authors: Philip J Wiffen; Sheena Derry; Rae F Bell; Andrew Sc Rice; Thomas Rudolf Tölle; Tudor Phillips; R Andrew Moore Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2017-06-09
Authors: Sheena Derry; Rae Frances Bell; Sebastian Straube; Philip J Wiffen; Dominic Aldington; R Andrew Moore Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2019-01-23
Authors: Philip J Wiffen; Sheena Derry; R Andrew Moore; Dominic Aldington; Peter Cole; Andrew S C Rice; Michael P T Lunn; Katri Hamunen; Maija Haanpaa; Eija A Kalso Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2013-11-11