Prescription medicine and erection problems


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Prescription medicine and erection problems


A number of medicines may be associated with erection problems (erectile dysfunction). Let your doctor know if you are taking any of these medicines. If you are having erection problems, they may be causing or adding to your problems having an erection. Your doctor may be able to modify the amount you take or find an alternative.

Medicines with a high incidence of causing erection problems include:

  • Clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil), which is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Flutamide, which is used to treat prostate cancer.
  • Leuprolide acetate (Eligard, Lupron), which is used to treat prostate cancer.
  • Naltrexone hydrochloride (Revia), which is used to treat alcohol dependence.

Other medicines may contribute to erection problems in some men.

Examples of medicines that may cause erection problems or make erection problems worse
Medicine type Examples

High blood pressure medicines

  • Amlodipine (such as Norvasc)
  • Atenolol (such as Tenormin)
  • Clonidine (such as Catapres)
  • Methyldopa
  • Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
  • Nifedipine (such as Adalat CC, Procardia)
  • Propranolol (such as Inderal)

Diuretics

  • Acetazolamide (such as Diamox)
  • Chlorothiazide (such as Diuril)
  • Chlorthalidone (such as Thalitone)
  • Hydralazine
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol (such as Lopressor HCT)
  • Spironolactone (such as Aldactone)
  • Triamterene (such as Dyrenium)

Antidepressants

  • Amitriptyline
  • Citalopram (such as Celexa)
  • Escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro)
  • Fluoxetine (such as Prozac, Sarafem)
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Imipramine (such as Tofranil)
  • Isocarboxazid (such as Marplan)
  • Nortriptyline hydrochloride (such as Pamelor)
  • Paroxetine (such as Paxil)
  • Phenelzine (such as Nardil)
  • Sertraline (such as Zoloft)
  • Tranylcypromine (such as Parnate)

Antipsychotics

  • Chlorpromazine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Haloperidol (such as Haldol)
  • Perphenazine
  • Risperidone (such as Risperdal)
  • Thioridazine
  • Thiothixene (such as Navane)

Hormones

  • Estrogens
  • Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (such as Zoladex, Lupron)

Anticonvulsants

  • Carbamazepine (such as Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol)
  • Phenobarbital (such as Solfoton)
  • Phenytoin (such as Dilantin)

Cardiovascular

  • Digoxin (such as Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin)

Ulcers and heartburn treatment

  • Cimetidine (such as Tagamet)
  • Famotidine (such as Mylanta AR, Pepcid)
  • Nizatidine (such as Axid AR)
  • Ranitidine (such as Zantac)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment

  • Dutasteride (Avodart)
  • Finasteride (Proscar)

Other medicines that may affect erections include medicines for:

  • Parkinson's disease, such as levodopa (Sinemet).
  • Nausea and vomiting, such as prochlorperazine (Compro) and promethazine (Promethegan).

Credits


Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Michele Cronen
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Last Updated May 21, 2008

Healthwise Logo
Last updated: May 21, 2008
Author: Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

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