Impotence, or erectile dysfunction, can be traced to many causes. Physical illness, psychological stress and medications are often found to be at fault. When a prescription or over-the-counter drug is found to be responsible for the inability to maintain an erection, a medication change can often be made. Erectile dysfunction drugs are available for men who must take a medication that induces impotence.
Diuretics
Some diuretic medications, sometimes called "fluid pills" or "water pills" cause erectile dysfunction in some men. MedlinePlus, a website maintained by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, lists hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene, chlorothiazide, bumetanide and furosemide as possible causative agents.
Analgesics
Analgesics, also called painkillers, can induce temporary impotence. Analgesics with this action include narcotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some common culprits include ibuprofen, hydromorphone, codeine, meperidene, morphine, fentanyl, methadone and oxycodone.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
Anti-anxiety medicines are sometimes found to be responsible for erectile dysfunction. Oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate dipotassium, lorazepam and diazepam have been implicated in impotence.
Parkinson's Medications
Drugs prescribed for Parkinson's disease may cause impotence in some individuals. These include levodopa, benztropine mesylate, bromocryptine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden hydrochloride and procyclidine, according to MedlinePlus.
Chemotherapy
Drugs used to treat prostate cancer and other forms of cancer sometimes cause impotence, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Cyclophosphamide, goserelin, leuprolide acetate and similar drugs are among those that may cause this condition, according to the "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide." It also explains that finasteride, indicated for a benign prostate condition and sometimes used for early prostate cancer, occasionally causes erectile dysfunction.
Antidepressants
Several different types of antidepressants can bring on impotence. Commonly suspected drugs include fluoxetine, sertraline, desipramine hydrochloride, amitriptyline, nortriptyline hydrochloride and tranylcypromine sulfate.
Circulatory System Drugs
Drugs for high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances and other circulatory system maladies are responsible for some cases of impotence. MedlinePlus lists clonodine, hydralazine hydrochloride, enalapril maleate, verapamil hydrochloride, digoxin, atenolol, methyldopa, nifedipine, captopril, propranolol, metoprolol and prazosin hydrochloride as possible causes.
Neurological Drugs
Some psychiatric and seizure medications can cause impotence. These drugs include trifluoperazine, phenytoin, chlorpromazine, busiperone, fluphenazine, doxepin hydrochloride, thiothixene, haloperidol and meprobromate, according to MedlinePlus.
Gastrointestinal Agents
Ulcer medications, anti-nausea drugs and other medications used to treat gastrointestinal conditions are sometimes implicated in erectile dysfunction. These include nazitidine, ranitidine, cimetidine, hydroxyzine, prochlorperazine maleate and promethazine. The "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide" indicates that famotidine can also cause impotence.
Other Drug Categories
Drugs indicated for other purposes sometimes cause erectile dysfunction as well. Hormones, cholesterol-reducing medications, muscle relaxants and other drugs may be found responsible. Most of these adverse effects are temporary and reversible with discontinuation of the medicine. MedlinePlus explains that recreational and illicit drugs such as nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, amphetamines and cocaine can also cause drug-induced impotence.
References
- "2010 Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide"; Amy M. Karch, R.N., M.S.; 2010
- MedlinePlus: Drugs that May Cause Impotence
- Cleveland Clinic: Medications that May Cause Erectile Dysfunction
