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We've all seen and heard those pharmaceutical drug commercials where they list an ungodly amount of bad side effects... many of which are worse than the condition they are treating. Needless to say, we live in an interesting world. Regardless of that though, if you're here reading this, you're probably worried that there may be something wrong with your erections and sexual performance and wondering if it's tied to the medications you're taking.
First off, know that you're not alone. Millions of men suffer from problems linked to erectile dysfunction (ED). Unfortunately, many of the drugs we take for other ailments can potentially make these issues worse by interfering with how our body naturally produces hormones associated with arousal.
While they help treat a number of conditions, learning about the potential side effects of pharmaceuticals is important when considering how they might actually contribute to your erections and sexual performance. To help spread some awareness around this subject, we've put together this blog that is going to explore which specific medications may cause or exacerbate ED and their known side effects.
Drugs That Cause Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a frustrating and embarrassing issue that negatively impacts our relationships and self-esteem. While some cases of ED are caused by psychological factors or physical conditions, there are also medications that can cause HUGE issues downstairs.
You may be surprised to hear that these medications can include common drugs such as anti-depressants and blood pressure medications, as well as some less common substances like chemotherapy drugs and even over-the-counter antihistamines.
While these drugs can be life-saving for a multitude of conditions, it's important for us to understand the risks of taking certain drugs. It is also critical (We can't stress this enough) to speak with your doctor about potential side effects - including the possibility of ED - before beginning any new medication.
Medical Gaslighting
Now, before we dive into the different drugs that can lead to ED, we want to briefly talk about speaking with your doctor. More specifically, we want to talk about medical gaslighting.
Something that may be more common than you may think.
If you do speak with your doctor and express your concerns about erectile dysfunction (or really any medical concern) and their first response is to dismiss your concern without actually hearing you or saying statements such as "Oh, it's probably all in your head", then it's time to get another opinion.
Doctors can also be very quick to throw you a pill and send you on your way. "Next Please!".
We're not saying all doctors are like this, we just want you to be aware of it and keep it in the back of your mind during your own doctor visits. Don’t settle for a doctor who won’t even look at you and hear you.
So, with that being said, here are the different medications that can lead to ED.
Tip: If you're looking for a specific drug, and on your laptop, you can press "ctrl" and "f" at the same time and it will let you search for a specific word on this page.
Antidepressant Drugs That Can Lead to ED
Antidepressant drugs are commonly prescribed to treat various mental health conditions. There is some data however that suggest that the sexual side effects of some antidepressant drugs could potentially happen to about 30% of people who take them.
It's important to note that not all antidepressant medications have the same side effects. But some antidepressants have been linked with causing erectile dysfunction in men. So if you're already taking or considering taking any, please do your research first.
Here are some of the antidepressant drugs that may lead to ED:
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Asendin (amoxapine)
Ativan (lorazepam)
Buspar (buspirone)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Equanil (meprobamate)
Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Mellaril (thioridazine)
Nardil (phenelzine)
Navane (thiothixene)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Parnate (tranylcypromine)
Prolixin (fluphenazine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Serentil (mesoridazine)
Serax (oxazepam)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Tranxene (clorazepate)
Valium (diazepam)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Blood Pressure Drugs That Can Lead to ED
The use of blood pressure drugs is important for managing hypertension. Unfortunately, though, there is a direct connection between high blood pressure and ED. AND, just like with anti-depressant drugs, these can cause significant damage to your sexual performance. This side effect is particularly concerning as it not only affects a man's sexual health but also his overall quality of life.
Here are some of the blood pressure drugs that can lead to ED:
Aldactone (spironolactone)
Aldomet (methyldopa)
Apresoline (hydralazine)
Bethanidine
Bumex (bumetanide)
Calan (verapamil)
Capoten (captopril)
Catapres (clonidine)
Dibenzyline (phenoxybenzamine)
Diuril (chlorothiazide)
Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide)
Haldol (haloperidol)
Hygroton (chlorthalidone)
Inderal (propranolol)
Ismelin (guanethidine)
Lasix (furosemide)
Lopressor (metoprolol)
Maxzide (triamterene)
Minipress (prazosin)
Normodyne (labetalol)
Procardia (nifedipine)
Regitine (phentolamine)
Serpasil (reserpine)
Tenex (guanfacine)
Tenormin (atenolol)
Vasotec (enalapril)
Wytensin (guanabenz)
Chemotherapy Drugs That Can Lead to ED
Chemotherapy is a life-saving treatment for millions of cancer patients worldwide. Some of the drugs used in chemotherapy though can lead to a host of unwanted side effects, including issues downstairs.
Here are some of the chemotherapy drugs that can lead to ED:
Casodex (bicalutamide)
Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)
Firmagon (degarelix)
Eulexin (flutamide)
Lupron (leuprorelin)
Myleran (busulfan)
Nilandron (nilutamide)
Nizoral (ketoconazole)
Zoladex (goserelin)
Parkinson's Disease Medications That Can Lead to ED
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disorder that can cause tremors, rigidity of the limbs, and difficulty with balance. While there are treatments available to help manage these symptoms, unfortunately, some of them may also lead to ED.
Here are some of the Parkinson's Disease drugs that can lead to ED:
Akineton (biperiden)
Artane (trihexyphenidyl)
Cogentin (benztropine)
Kemadrin (procyclidine)
Levodopa
Parlodel (bromocriptine)
Opioids That Can Lead to ED
Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain management and often become very addicting and eventually people begin to abuse them. But they can also have severe side effects. The sedative properties of opioids can inhibit sexual arousal and diminished libido, both key components of erectile function. Additionally, opioids may also act on a chemical level by reducing testosterone levels, which can further impair your ability to have intercourse.
Here are some of the opioids that can lead to ED:
Codeine
Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Demerol (meperidine)
Fentanyl
Methadone
Morphine
Oxycontin (oxycodone)
Over-the-Counter Drugs That Can Lead to ED
You know those tiny little pamphlets that come in the box that you never bother to read? Yeah, those are actually kind of important. Over-the-counter drugs are generally safe to take in moderation... but that's not always the case.
Take antihistamines, for example. They may help with your allergies, but overusing them can lead to serious problems with your erections. Always read the fine print or ask your doctor about them.
Here are some of the over-the-counter (antihistamines) drugs that can lead to ED:
Antivert (meclizine)
Axid (nizatidine)
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
Dramamine (dimenhydrinate)
Pepcid (famotidine)
Tagamet (cimetidine)
Other Drugs That Can Lead to ED
While the medications listed above are some of the more common ones associated with ED, there are other drugs that can also lead to ED. These include steroids, recreational drugs, and certain heartburn medications.
Here are some of the other drugs that can lead to ED:
Alcohol
Recreational Drugs (e.g., cocaine)
How to Treat ED Caused by Medications
Fortunately, ED caused by medications is often reversible, and AGAIN, millions of other men are experiencing the same type of issues. So, with that being said, if you think that you're experiencing issues with your sexual performance because of medications, here is what you should do.
The first step is to talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching to an alternative medication or adjusting your dosage. DO NOT STOP medication unless you are under the guidance of a doctor. They may have other treatment options available that aren't going to cause havoc on your erections.
The next thing to do is look at your lifestyle choices...
Lifestyle Choices
If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction, one of the best things that you can do is to take a look at your lifestyle.
Now there isn't much you can do about medical conditions that you are born with or conditions that developed overtime without anything you could have done to prevent it. BUT There are many medical conditions though that are either caused, exacerbated, or could be prevented by making healthier choices...
Take smoking and drinking for example. Both of these can lead to serious health conditions. On top of that, those health conditions can lead to sexual performance issues or even cause ED directly.
The everyday lifestyle choices we make now are what we are going to reap in the near future. So keep that in mind.
Making choices such as:
• Making sure that you get enough exercise every day
• Eating healthy foods
• Limiting your alcohol intake
• Avoiding cigarettes and other substances
• Getting enough QUALITY sleep each night.
By making these changes, it could make all the difference in improving your sexual performance. Your lifestyle choices have direct effects on your erection health and performance in the bedroom. You may not see it after one drink or one puff, but over time, it's wreaking havoc on your sexual health.
Improving Sexual Performance In Other Ways
If you're struggling psychologically from performing, it's often tied to things such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, distress, or performance anxiety. Most often than not, lifestyle changes and getting help through cognitive-behavioral therapy and counseling is often the best route. This and TALKING TO YOUR PARTNER.
We like to say here at bdestyle that if you can manage your emotions and recognize when you are experiencing performance anxiety, this is the first step to addressing the "when" part. From there, you can then take a pause, calm your physiology, and then and reflect on the "why" parts (why you're anxious in that specific moment) and work with your partner to identify erection triggers and erection killers.
Ultimately, replace the word performance with the word "experience" and you'll then start experiencing what sex truly has to offer
In addition to this, sexual decline is something all men face eventually. Using devices such as The Phoenix is another great way for men to improve their sexual performance and rise to the occasion once again. The device uses advanced Li-ESWT technology that is recommended by doctors and experts alike. However, they recommend that you manage your
Recap on Drugs Causing Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction caused by medications is a common issue that millions of men around the world face. If you think your ED might be due to one or more of these types of medications, the first thing you should do is go and speak with your doctor. Ask about switching to an alternative drug or adjusting the dosage for better results.
Additionally, making lifestyle changes like exercising regularly and eating healthy foods could also make a huge difference in improving sexual performance.
As always, thanks for listening guys, and hopefully this can help some of you out. If there are any drugs that we missed that should be listed here, let us know and if you have any questions on this subject, make sure to reach out!