Drug that Impair Sex

This table shows medications, which have been reported to cause erection problems. Whether each drug has this effect varies by dose and mode of action. So, for example men taking fluoxetine commonly have delayed orgasm [but no erection problem]. Commonly means around 40%.

Hypertension

This is a common medical problem. Men with hypertension have 2 issues – the disease itself may affect erectile function and then the medication. Some drugs do cause problems and some do not. Thus beta blockers cause problems in 30-50% of men and along with thiazide diuretics, which also cause difficulties are ‘first-line drugs’ ie cheap first choices..

There are drugs available that do not have these problems and you may need to ask your doctor to use one of these, in preference. So ACE inhibitors [trade names Lotensin, Capoten, Zestril, Prinivil]; alpha-blockers [eg Cardura]; calcium channel blockers [trade names Diltiazem,Verapamil, or Amlodipine] and ARBs [angiotensin receptor blockers such as Losartan] tend to open up blood vessels so the effect is if anything positive. Beneficial effects have been reported for Cardura and Losartan in particular.