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Drugs that may cause impotence

Alternative Names

Impotence caused by medications; Drug-induced erectile dysfunction

Information

Various medications and recreational drugs can have an affect on sexual arousal and sexual performance. It should be noted that what causes impotence in one man may not affect another.

If you think that a medication you are taking is having a negative effect on sexual performance, discuss the matter with your health care provider. NEVER stop taking any medication without first consulting your health care provider, because some medications can produce life-threatening reactions if they are not carefully and slowly stopped or switched appropriately.

The following is a list of medications and non-prescription drugs that may cause impotence:

Antidepressant and other psychiatric medications:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Buspirone (Buspar)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Doxepin (Sinequan)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Meprobamate (Equanil)
• Mesoridazine (Serentil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Thiothixene (Navane)
• Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)

Antihistamine medications:

• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Meclizine (Antivert)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)

Antihypertensive and diuretic medications:

• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bethanidine
• Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
• Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• Clonidine (Catapres)
• Enalapril (Vasotec)
• Guanabenz (Wytensin)
• Guanethidine (Ismelin)
• Guanfacine (Tenex)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix)
• Labetalol (Normodyne)
• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor)
• Minoxidil (Loniten)
• Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline)
• Phentolamine (Regitine)
• Prazosin (Minipress)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Reserpine (Serpasil)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Triamterene (Maxzide)
• Verapamil (Calan)

Among the anti-hypertensive medications, thiazides are the most common cause of ED, followed by beta-blockers. Alpha-blockers are, in general, less likely to cause this problem.

Parkinson's disease medications:

• Benztropine (Cogentin)
• Biperiden (Akineton)
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
• Levodopa (Sinemet)
• Procyclidine (Kemadrin)
• Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)

Chemotherapy medications:

• Antiandrogens (Casodex, Flutamide, Nilutamide)
• Busulfan (Myleran)
• Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
• Ketoconazole
• LHRH agonists (Lupron, Zoladex)

Other medications:

• Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
• Atropine
• Clofibrate (Atromid-S)
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Cyproterone
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Estrogen
• Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)
• Furazolidone (Furoxone)
• H2 Blockers (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid)
• Indomethacin (Indocin)
• Lipid lowering-agents
• Licorice
• Metoclopramide (Reglan)
• NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, etc.)
• Orphenadrine (Norflex)
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Opiate analgesics (painkillers)

• Morphine
• Methadone
• Fentanyl (Innovar)
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Codeine
• Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percodan)
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Recreational Drugs:

• Alcohol
• Amphetamines
• Barbiturates
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Nicotine

Review Date:8/15/2006
Reviewed By:David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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