Priapism associated with zuclopenthixol

Abstract

Objective: To present a single case of zuclopenthixol-induced priapism and a literature review.

Case summary: We report the case of a 31-year-old patient hospitalized due to behavioral alterations and treated with oral zuclopenthixol, an antipsychotic from the thioxanthene family, who developed an acute, painful erection.

Discussion: The occurrence of priapism in our patient was related to zuclopenthixol. This adverse reaction is reported for the first time in a patient not concomitantly treated with other drugs associated with the appearance of priapism. The capacity of zuclopenthixol to induce priapism is thought to be due to its antagonist activity on alpha-adrenergic receptors.

Conclusions: Priapism is an uncommon but potentially serious adverse effect of zuclopenthixol that practitioners, as with many other antipsychotics, should be aware of.