ED, or erectile dysfunction, is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection that makes sexual intercourse possible. It is different from other problems that interfere with intercourse, such as a lack of desire, and is not considered normal at any age, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Erection results from a complex system involving nerves, circulation and stimulus from the brain. There is a variety of causes of ED, including medication. Over 200 prescription medications can cause ED, the Cleveland Clinic says.
Psychotropic Medications
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs cause as many as 25 percent of all cases of ED, according to guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of male sexual dysfunction from the American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists, published in the January/February 2003 issue of the journal "Endocrine Practice." The authors say tricyclic antidepressants can cause ED. Drugs in this class include amitriptyline, desipramine and imipramine. Desyrel, an antidepressant known as the generic drug trazodone, can cause priapism, an abnormally long-lasting and painful erection that can cause permanent erectile dysfunction. These and other types of antidepressants can also cause other types of sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and inhibited ejaculation.
Antihypertensives
Antihypertensive drugs, or drugs used to treat high blood pressure, are common pharmacological causes of ED. Either they decrease the systolic blood pressure, which in turn decreased pressure in the penile vessels, or have drug-specific effects. Diabetics or those with underlying vascular disease are at higher risk for ED when taking these drugs. The antihypertensive drugs most likely to cause ED are the centrally acting agents, including clonidine and guanfacine; beta blockers, such as metoprolol and lobetalol; and diuretics, or water pills such as furosemide, according to the Sept. 15, 1999, issue of the journal "American Family Physician."
Histamine H2 Antagonists
Histamine H2-receptor antagonists, commonly called H2 blockers, are medications used to treat or prevent acid indigestion and heartburn and to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers. These medications can cause ED. Common H2 blockers include the over-the-counter medicines famotidine, cimetidine and ranitidine, or Pepcid, Tagamet and Zantac. These drugs cause ED by blocking peripheral hormone receptors necessary for an erection, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists explains.
References
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Male Sexual Dysfunction
- Cleveland Clinic: Medications That May Cause Erectile Dysfunction
- American Family Physician: Newer Pharmacologic Alternatives for Erectile Dysfunction
- American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines For Clinical Practice for the Evaluation and Treatment of Male Sexual Dysfunction ...
- Drugs.com: Histamine H2 Antagonist
