Drugs Linked to Erectile Dysfunction
Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction is had been recognized to be quite a bother to many men and although it has got various causes, there are some medicines that lead to impotence. Some of the medications that can result in ED are those that are used to prescribe hypertension such as beta-blockers and diuretics alter normal blood flow. Depressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are also influential to sexual function through changes that they cause in the neurotransmitter level in the brain. Moreover, cancer medicines used in the treatment of the disease or drugs applied for refractory prostate hyperplasia, anti-androgens, can also cause a decrease in testosterone content and consequently affect the erectile function.
Other lifestyle diseases that relate to ED include recreational drugs such as alcohol, illicit substances, among others. Daily alcohol consumption may harm the nerve fibres and blood vessels of the human body which hardens to sustain erection; the use of cocaine and marijuana results to the decreased sexual stimulation and erection chemical reactions in the brain.
Some common drugs such as antihistamines, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause side effects that leading to erectile dysfunction. A patient with ED should consult his doctor since another medicine might help or the dosage needs to be adjusted. This paper aims to highlight potential drug – drug interaction that may lead to erectile dysfunction and possible measures to avoid them.
Medications that can cause erectile dysfunction
There are many drugs which may lead to a development of erectile dysfunction and this list is constantly expanding. Here are some common types of medications that may contribute to ED:
1. Antihypertensives (Blood Pressure Medications)
Beta-blockers: For example, propranolol, metoprolol etc.
Diuretics: hydrochlorothiazid, furosemida
ACE inhibitors: for example, enalapril, lisinopril
Calcium channel blockers: amlodipine, diltiazem
2. Antidepressants and Antipsychotics
Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): phenelzine.References :Field M. J, Booth-Kewley S. Applying the principles of evidence-based medicine to psychiatric consultations. Psychosomatics 1997; 38: 463– 70.
Antipsychotics: risperidone, olanzapine
3. Hormonal Medications
Medications that affect testosterone levels: GnRH agonists.
Prostate cancer medications: cytokines or leuprolide, flutamide
4. Antihistamines
diphenhydramine, meclizine
5. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), indomethacin
6. Anti-ulcer Medications
H2 blockers: for example cimaterine, ranitidine
If you think that a certain medication impacts your erectile characteristic, one should consult a doctor. They can explain whether the drug is the problem and recommend whether there are any other course of actions or perhaps even a different product to try.
How to avoid Medications that can cause erectile dysfunction?
Preventions measures of drugs that lead to erectile dysfunction are therefore very important and delicate. First and foremost, one is supposed to seek medical advice from a doctor before embarking on taking any new medicine. That can help in understanding possible side effects and ED may be among them. For those who use drugs and now facing the issue of ED, do not self-discharge your physician’s prescription. However, it is advisable to let your doctor know of the greatest concern. The doctor can possibly modify the amount of the drug or prescribe you a different medication that has less of a likelihood of modifying sexual habits.
The patient has to be aware of those medication types that are most likely to cause ED, including some types of antidepressants, antihypertensive agents, and antipsychotics. If you are on any of these, you can discuss with your doctor other possibilities. Besides, pathological processes also contribute to it, but what also has an impact is a set of specific behaviors and decisions. A healthy body weight, exercise, no excessive intake of alcohol/ smoking, are some factors that would lead to better health and less risks to ED.
Unfortunately, the condition that the drugs are used to treat can also cause ED sometimes. For instance, one can get a disease like diabetes or high blood pressure and this automatically qualifies them as a candidate. Therefore, controlling these diseases with the assistance of a doctor is capable of reducing the effects on sexual health.
The best thing to do is to go for routine check-ups and always talk to your doctor. Thus, you can avoid getting ED related to medication while maintaining the general health of the body.
Prescription Drugs That Cause Erectile Dysfunction
A number of medicaments used in primary care practice can have implications for erectile dysfunction, the condition that impacts men’s ability to get and maintain an erection. A frequently observed class is antidepressants particularly the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors where drugs such as fluoxetine and sertraline are found. The other medicines that are also considered to have a negative impact on erectile dysfunction include; blood pressure drugs, including metoprolol a beta-blocker and hydrochlorothiazide a diuretic as they decrease blood circulation to the penis.
Drugs for the treatment of allergies such as antihistamine, diphenhydramine and cetirizine cripple the nervous system and hence lead to ED. Likewise, there is a possible relationship with sexual health based on the impact of the drug on neurotransmitters; risperidone and olanzapine are examples of the category of antipsychotic drugs that could affect sexual health. Androgen dependency: Many treatments for prostate cancer including leuprolide can affect the testosterone level, which in turn can cause ED.
Also, the substances used for the treatment of heartburn and ulcers, cimetidine, can also affect the levels of hormones and sexual functions. Some types of pain relievers used broadly can cause ED, including opioids such as oxycodone, and morphine that directly affect the hormonal balance and nervous system.
One needs to seek the attention of a health care provider if they believe their medications are the cause of the condition. They can increase or decrease the amount you are taking, replace your medication with a similar one, or recommend other medication and alteration of living habits to contain the disease. One should never switch or discontinue the prescribed medication without consulting with a doctor as this can be detrimental to their overall health.
Drugs that may cause erection problems
Some of the drugs that commonly affect a man sexually include over the counter drugs, recreational drugs, and prescribed medicines. This means that the causes of erection problems or its absence in one man may not necessarily apply to another man.
If you believe that, a certain drug is ruining your sexual performance, you should discuss this issue with your health care provider. Never embark on stopping the use of any medication without consulting he or she doctor first. Certain medicines may cause serious interactions if one is not cautious when stopping or modifying them.
Below are some of the medicines and drugs which could lead to erectile dysfunction in men. Possibly, there might be some other drugs which are not in this list that could cause problems of erection.
Antidepressants and other medicines for mental health conditions:Antidepressants and other medicines for mental health conditions:
- Amitriptyline (Elavil)
- Amoxapine (Asendin)
- Buspirone (Buspar)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Doxepin (Sinequan)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Meprobamate (Equanil)
- Mesoridazine (Serentil)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- Oxazepam (Serax)
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Thioridazine (Mellaril)
- Thiothixene (Navane)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
Antihistamine medicines (certain classes of antihistamines are also used to treat heartburn):Antihistamine medicines (certain classes of antihistamines are also used to treat heartburn):
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
- Meclizine (Antivert)
- Nizatidine (Axid)
- Promethazine (Phenergan)
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
High blood pressure medicines and diuretics (water pills):High blood pressure medicines and diuretics (water pills):
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Bethanidine
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
- Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
- Clonidine (Catapres)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Guanabenz (Wytensin)
- Guanethidine (Ismelin)
- Guanfacine (Tenex)
- Haloperidol (Haldol)
- Hydralazine (Apresoline)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix)
- Labetalol (Normodyne)
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor)
- Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
- Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline)
- Phentolamine (Regitine)
- Prazosin (Minipress)
- Propranolol (Inderal)
- Reserpine (Serpasil)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Triamterene (Maxzide)
- Verapamil (Calan)
Thiazides are the worst culprits when it comes to medications that can impact erectile dysfunction among the high blood pressure drugs. Beta blockers are the next most cited cause. This drawback though is not very common especially with the use of alpha blockers.
Parkinson disease medicines:
- Benztropine (Cogentin)
- Biperiden (Akineton)
- Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
- Levodopa (Sinemet)
- Procyclidine (Kemadrin)
- Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
Chemotherapy and hormonal medicines:
- Antiandrogens (Casodex, Flutamide, Nilutamide)
- Busulfan (Myleran)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Ketoconazole
- LHRH agonists (Lupron, Zoladex)
- LHRH antagonist (Firmagon)
Other medicines:
- Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
- Atropine
- Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
- Cyproterone
- Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Disopyramide (Norpace)
- Dutasteride (Avodart)
- Estrogen
- Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)
- Furazolidone (Furoxone)
- OJ antacids/H2 blockers (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid)
- Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Lipid-lowering agents
- Licorice
- Metoclopramide (Reglan)
- NSAIDs, Ibuprofen and all those related medications that doctors prescribe.
- Orphenadrine (Norflex)
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Opiate analgesics (painkillers):
- Codeine
- Fentanyl (Innovar)
- Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Meperidine (Demerol)
- Methadone
- Morphine
- Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percodan)
Recreational drugs:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Heroin and other opioids
- Nicotine
