Improved sexual function in three men taking lamotrigine for epilepsy.

Little information exists about the effects of newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on sexual function in men with epilepsy. We report a series of three male veterans whose sexual disorders improved with lamotrigine. All three had partial seizures. One patient was taking phenobarbital and gabapentin and complained of decreased potency and anorgasmia. After lamotrigine was added for better seizure control and the dosage of gabapentin was tapered, anorgasmia improved. The second patient complained of impotence after a rash while taking phenytoin and carbamazepine. Impotence persisted with phenobarbital, valproate, and gabapentin. Eight months after gabapentin was replaced with lamotrigine, impotence improved. The third patient complained of long-standing impotence. Treatment with five AEDs had no effect on the dysfunction. Lamotrigine was added to the carbamazepine regimen; impotence improved with decrease in carbamazepine and increase in lamotrigine. The favorable effect of lamotrigine on sexual disorders in these three patients suggests this drug should be considered under appropriate circumstances for men who have sexual dysfunction while taking other antiepileptic agents.

Duke Scholars

Author Aatif Mairaj Husain Neurology, Epilepsy and Sleep

Author Rodney Allan Radtke Neurology, Epilepsy and Sleep