Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem that affects many men, including those who treat other medical conditions. Is there a link between taking certain medications and erectile dysfunction? How severe is it, and what can be done? Find the answers in this article!
Drugs that weaken erection and cause ED
Although the attention of men with ED is mainly focused on choosing effective medications to eliminate this problem, it should not be forgotten that there are many medications that can cause or worsen sexual dysfunction.
List of drugs that cause erectile dysfunction
| Hypotensive drugs | Spironolactone, Methyldopa, Clonidine, Prazosin, Terazosin, Propranolol, Metoprolol, Atenolol |
| Antidepressants and psychopharmaceuticals | Amitriptyline, ANAFRANIL, Tofranil, Desipramine, Thiothixene, lithium salts, Tranylcypromine, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Haloperidol, Chlorpromazine, Fluphenazine, Pimozide, Primidone, Carbamazepine, Doxepine, Sertraline, Paroxetine |
| Drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemia | Ausgem, Clofibrate |
| Drugs for heart failure | Digoxin, Chlorthalidone, Amiodarone |
| Drugs for the treatment of endocrinologic pathologies and prostate diseases | Cyproterone, Medrogestone, Megestrol, Flutamide, Finasteride, GnRH analogues, corticosteroids |
| Gastrointestinal drugs | Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Metoclopramide, Famotidine, Nizatidine, Propantheline bromide |
| Recreational drugs | cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, codeine, methadone, heroin, meperidine, LSD |
Besides erectile dysfunction, the listed medications can cause other sexual function problems in men, including:
- loss of libido;
- low hormone levels;
- low sperm count.
Read on to learn more about how these drugs worsen erections and how you can fight it.
Hypotensive drugs
Hypertension, especially chronic forms of the disease, slowly and inexorably damages small and large blood vessels. Over time, this leads to impaired blood flow and often to erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, life-saving medications such as antihypertensive drugs can also cause adverse reactions and negatively affect erections.
For example, the list of drugs that cause erectile dysfunction includes diuretics. Drugs of this type stimulate the release of excess fluid from the body. This reduces blood flow to the spongy bodies of the penis and makes it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. Another negative effect of diuretics is the excretion of zinc from the body along with urine. During treatment, men risk depleting the body’s zinc stores, which are necessary for the production of the main sex hormone, testosterone.
When it comes to the use of ED medications in case of hypertension, you should proceed with caution. Drugs such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Spedra help to achieve an erection by dilating blood vessels. This means that ED medications can potentially interact with hypotensive drugs. Combining such medications should be done with caution only after consulting your doctor.
Antidepressants and psychopharmaceuticals
Depression and other mental disorders are conditions that negatively affect the sexual health of both women and men. This is supported by multiple studies. Then again, paradoxically, medications prescribed to treat such disorders can also lead to sexual disorders such as:
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Delayed / premature ejaculation.
- Decrease in libido.
- Difficulties with sexual arousal.
Sexual arousal, which causes a man to get an erection, is generated in the brain. Chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters send signals to the spinal cord and, from there, to the nerves of the penis, after that, an erection occurs. Antidepressants often upset the balance of chemicals in the brain, and that is why they can contribute to erectile problems in men.
The good news is that ED medications in general, can be used together with antidepressants. These drugs have different mechanisms of action and, therefore, a very low potential for interaction.
Drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemia
Statins (drugs to treat dyslipidemia) lower blood cholesterol levels and protect the inside of the arteries. Taking these medicines not only improves cardiovascular health but also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Studies show that statins may improve erectile function by helping blood vessels dilate and improving blood flow to the penis, which is often limited in men with erectile dysfunction. Although statins are not prescribed as a primary ED medication, they are beneficial for organic erectile dysfunction.
Despite the obvious benefits of improving vascular health, statins can cause erectile dysfunction. This is a reported but rare side effect. It occurs because statins sometimes reduce levels of testosterone, one of the main male hormones.
Drugs for heart failure
Heart failure is characterized by several conditions in which the heart does not work efficiently. This results in a suboptimal supply of blood and oxygen to the body and causes complications such as impaired blood supply, fluid accumulation in soft tissues and erectile dysfunction.
Heart failure medications reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. At the same time, they can cause a number of side effects, such as:
- Dizziness.
- Increase in potassium levels.
- The feeling of fatigue.
- Low blood pressure.
- Changes in kidney function.
- Blurred vision.
- Muscle spasms.
- Enlargement of the mammary glands in men.
- Erectile dysfunction.
Studies are showing that ED medications such as Viagra (Sildenafil) may help treat heart failure. But you should not combine PDE-5 inhibitors and any heart medication without first consulting your doctor. Taking PDE-5 inhibitors together with nitrates is contraindicated.
Drugs for the treatment of endocrinologic pathologies and the prostate gland
Among the medicines that can cause problems with achieving an erection, there is a group that has antiandrogenic effects. They affect the production or activity of hormones (in particular testosterone) and thus affect sexual function and a man’s life.
There are numerous medications for the treatment of endocrinologic abnormalities and the prostate gland. Many of them can be safely taken with Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Spedra, or other PDE-5 inhibitors without changing the dosage of one or both medications.
Some medications for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (e.g., Cardura and Progandol) may interact with PDE-5 inhibitors. Often a negative result of their interaction is a decrease in blood pressure, resulting in headaches, dizziness, etc.
Gastrointestinal drugs
Few people know that gastrointestinal diseases are often associated with sexual problems, including erectile dysfunction and loss of libido. The problem is compounded by the fact that gastroenterologists do not usually discuss sexual dysfunction with patients.
The good news is that proper treatment can help. The bad news is so-called medication-induced erectile dysfunction can be achieved by frequent or prolonged use of certain types of medications used to treat gastrointestinal diseases.
PDE-5 inhibitors can help with erection problems caused by both gastrointestinal conditions and taking medications for them. But care must be taken with combining medications. For example, Cimetidine (a stomach acid-reducing drug) increases the concentration of Sildenafil (Viagra) by 50-60%, which increases the risks of side effects.
Recreational drugs
There is a wide variety of psychoactive substances that cause drug dependence. Abuse of psychoactive drugs has a devastating effect on the body, negatively affects a person’s thinking, and impairs erectile function.
Each type of psychoactive substance is characterized by its own period of addiction and dependence. But for all of them, there is a common characteristic – sexual activity in drug-dependent men is associated with additional stress, which depletes the body, deteriorates health and gradually reduces sex drive.
Sexual and other disorders associated with the use of psychoactive drugs are a global problem. Men who have a history of use have more erectile problems than non-users. The best way to prevent erectile dysfunction and other side effects is to stop using recreational drugs.
Conclusion
Yes, there are drugs that cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems. The likelihood of a side effect, such as a bad erection, can be found in the leaflet accompanying the medicine, or your doctor will tell you about it.
The good news is that most men can regain their normal erectile abilities after stopping the medication. However, this side effect does not have to be tolerated.
Talk to your healthcare provider. You may be offered different options for overcoming the problem – reducing the dose of the medicine, changing the type of medicine, using PDE-5 inhibitors, and others.
