27th June 2023

Common drug related causes

A drug cause should be considered if erectile dysfunction began within two weeks of starting a new medication; on stopping the drug, ED symptoms should resolve; however, many of the medications are essential to treat or prevent serious illness, so it may not always be practicable to stop treatments.

Potential drug causes of ED include:

• Antihypertensives such as beta-blockers, verapamil, and clonidine
• Antidepressants, including SSRIs and tricyclics
• Antiarrhythmics: digoxin and amiodarone
• Diuretics, especially thiazide-type and spironolactone
• H2-antagonists such as cimetidine and ranitidine
• Recreational drugs, including alcohol, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, methadone, and anabolic steroids.