medications that cause sexual dysfunction

by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C

Antihypertensive: Associated with decreased libido, decreased arousal and orgasmic disorder in women. Associated with decreased libido, decreased arousal, orgasmic disorder and erectile dysfunction in men.

Commonly used medications are:

Beta Blockers: Inderal, Lopressor, Corgard, Blocadren, Tenormin, Toprol

Calcium Channel Blockers: Adalat, Procardia, Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, Cardizem, Dilacor XR, Tiazac

Alpha Blockers: Doxazosin, Prazosin, Terazosin

Diuretics: Diuril, Aldactone, Lasix

Medications used to treat depression, anxiety and sedatives: Associated with erectile dysfunction, orgasmic disorders in men and orgasmic disorders, loss of sexual desire and arousal in women.

Commonly used medications are:

Antidepressants: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Serzone, BuSpar, Norpramin, Prolixin, Lithium, Mellaril, Nardil, Serax, Anafranil, Elavil, Tofranil, Sinequan, Pamelor

Neuroleptics: Thorazine, Haldol, Zyprexa

Sedatives: Librium, Valium, Xanax, Quaalude (methaqualone), barbiturates, Ativan

Antihistamines: Associated with lack of lubrication in women leading to dyspareunia. In men, erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.

Commonly used medications are:

Dramamine, Benadryl, Vistaril, Antivert, Phenergan

Anticonvulsants: Associated with decreased libido, decreased arousal and orgasmic disorder in women and erectile dysfunction and decreased libido in men.

Commonly used medications are:

Dilantin, Mysoline, Tegretol, Luminal

Medication used to treat gastric disorders: Associated with erectile dysfunction in men and decreased libido, decreased arousal and orgasmic disorder in women.

Commonly used medications are:

Tagamet, Reglan, Zantac, Pepcid, Compazine, Phenergan

Medication used to treat dyslipidemia: Associated with erectile dysfunction in men.

Commonly used medications are the fibrates such as gemfibrozil.

Medication used to treat cancer: Associated with deceased libido and erectile dysfunction in men and dyspareunia in women.

Commonly used medications are:

Tamoxifen, Lupron, Flutamide, Nilutamide, Myleran, Cytoxan, Ketoconazole, Zoladex, Casodex

Birth Control: Associated with decreased libido, arousal disorder and vaginal dryness in women.

Commonly used medications are:

Ortho 7/7/7, Tricyclen, Cyclen, Depo Provera

Anti Parkinson's: Associated with erectile dysfunction and increased libido in men and women.

Commonly used medications are:

Cogentin, Akineton, Parlodel, Sinemet, Kemadrin, Artane

Non-steroidal Anti Inflammatory: Associated with decreased lubrication.

Commonly used medications are:

Indocin, lbuprofen

Other medications: Associated with various sexual disorders.

Commonly used medications are:

Amicar, Atropine, Compazine. Flexeril, Lanoxin, Norpace, Proscar, Propecia

Non Prescription Drugs: Alcohol can cause decreased libido in men and women as well as orgasmic disorders and erectile dysfunction in men. Heroin and morphine can cause decreased libido in men and women and can cause ejaculatory disorders in men. Over time, amphetamines and cocaine can cause erectile dysfunction in men. Marijuana can cause vaginal dryness in women.

References: See Bibliography

August 2006
Posted August 2008