medications that cause sexual side effects or FSD

by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) can be caused or made worse by many commonly prescribed medications.

If you find a medication that you are currently taking on the list below and it is causing problems with sexual response, have a talk with your doctor about helping you find a substitute that may be less likely to cause FSD.

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 orgasmic disorders, loss of sexual desire and arousal in women and erectile dysfunction, orgasmic disorders in men.

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 decreased libido, decreased arousal and orgasmic disorder in women and erectile dysfunction in men.

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 dyspareunia in women and deceased libido and erectile dysfunction in men.

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.

If you are taking any of the above drugs and experiencing female sexual dysfunction (FSD), talk with your doctor about trying to find a substitute drug with fewer sexual side effects.

References: See Bibliography

August 2006
Posted August 2008
Last Updated December 2009