What Drugs Cause Sexual Side effects? Erectile Dysfunction

There are several drugs whose side effects can harm your sexual life. The drugs can cause sexual side effects such as impotence or erectile dysfunction, low sex drive or decrease libido, premature ejaculation.

In Women (Sexual Dysfunction)

Contraceptive pills: Contraceptive pills are medically known as hormone therapy. Contraceptive or birth control pill alters hormone balance which eventually affects sex drive. All birth control pills contain hormones such as progestins, levonorgestrel or ethinyl estradiol. These pills lower androgens hormone (testosterone) level and thereby decrease sex drive. Several research studies have linked testosterone level to contraceptive pills. check this.

In Men (Erectile Dysfunction)

Hair Loss Drug Finasteride (Propecia®): FDA has issued safety notice on use of only approved drug to treat male pattern baldness. It is proven in research studies that Propecia® cause temporary or permnant erectile dysfunction. If you are on Propecia and experiencing decreased sex drive, stop taking it, it could be irreversible.

Delayed Orgasm
antidepressant such as generic Paxil (Proxetine), antipsychotic drugs such as mellaril and guanethidine (a high blood pressure drug) are suspected to cause delayed orgasm in women and delayed ejaculation in men.

In Both Men and Women
Antidepressants: Antidepressant drugs of class SSRIs and SNRIs have been reported to cause sexual dysfunction in women and erectile dysfunction in men. SSRI drugs prevents re-use of serotonin. Check this guide to manage erectile dysfunction caused by depression medicines.

[Note: Impotence or erectile dysfunction is found to disappear when stopped taking antidepressants]

Drugs of SSRIs class are....

• Celexa (Citalopram)


• Priligy (Depoxetine)


• Lexapro (Escitalopram)


• Prozac (fluoxetine)


• Paxil (Proxetine)


• Zoloft (Setraline)


• Luvox (Fluvoxamine)


• Viibryd (Vilazodone)

Other antidepressants that may affect sexual are tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitryptiline).

Hypertension Drugs or High Blood Pressure Drugs: Some groups do not cause erectile dysfunction and drugs of some groups do.

Blood pressure Drugs that MAY cause Erectile Dysfunction....
Hydrochlorothiazide
Beta-blockers: like Atenolol

NO erectile dysfunction caused by these blood pressure drugs...

• ACE inhibitors: Benazepril (or generic Lotensin), Captopril ( or generic Capoten), Lisinopril ( or generic Zestril or generi Prinivil). These medicines widen blood capilaries which actually helps to treat erectile dysfunction.


• Alpha-blockers


• Angiotensin Receptors Blockers: Check list of drugs in this class


• Calcium channel blockers: Check list of drugs belong to this class.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Meds May Lead to Low Magnesium Level

PPI or the Proton Pump Inhibitors as they are known are consumed by people in case of Dyspepsia, Gastro esophageal Reflux Disease, gastritis etc. These Pump Inhibitors might have various advantages and may be helpful for the ones suffering from all these problems. It has been seen that even arthritis patients also consume PPI along with NSAID (nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs) as these PPI rescue them from the risk of ulcer.

However there are many adverse effects that have been noticed time and again with the long term use of PPI. Recently, it has been seen that it can lead to hypomagnesaemia if used for a long time. Muscle spasms, arrhythmia and seizures are some of the serious consequences of using these drugs for a long period of time.

However it has not been noticed in all the patients. It has also been seen that 25% of the cases it was seen that the intake of the magnesium supplements were unable to increase the level of the magnesium level. This is the reason why the use of PPI was put an end to.

This is the reason why Doctors are made alert about the intake of PPI to patients. The doctors have been told that the medical condition of the patient have to be analyzed such as their serum levels if they are being indicated the long term use of PPI for around 1 year. So, the next time there exists the necessity for you to use the PPI, one must initially check one’s magnesium levels.