Risk Factors
Medication
A number of classes of medications can cause ED:
- medications that reduce high blood pressure
- medications taken for central nervous system diseases like methyldopa, antidepressants, sedatives or tranquilizers like barbiturates, anti-anxiety medications (diazepam)
Drugs and Drug Classes Reported to Affect Erectile Function (selection of most relevant drugs)
Antihypertensives
- Beta blockers
- Thiazide diuretics
- Methyldopa
- Clonidine
Psychiatric Medications
- Antidepressants - tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline, doxepin), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram)
- Antipsychotics - phenothiazines, haloperidol, benzisoxazole (Risperidone)
Antiandrogens
- Estrogen-containing medications
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists
- Cimetidine (in very high doses)
- Ketoconazole
- Spironolactone
Recreational Drugs
- Alcohol
- Heroin
