SexRx: Calcium Channel Blockers and Your Sex Life
Medications and Their Commonly Used Brand Names
Medication | Brand names |
---|---|
Amlodipine | Norvasc |
Diltiazem | Cardizem |
Felodipine | Plendil |
Flunarizine | Sibelium |
Isradipine | DynaCirc |
Nicardipine | Cardene |
Nifedipine | Adalat, Procardia |
Nimodipine | Nimotop |
Nisoldipine | Sular |
Verapamil | Calan, Isoptin |
What They Are Most Often Prescribed For:
How They Work:
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) affect the movement of calcium into the cells of your heart and blood vessels. As a result, CCBs relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, which reduce the heart's workload.
Possible Sexual Side Effects:
Compared to most other blood pressure drugs, CCBs seem to cause fewer sexual problems. However, several case reports have shown that CCBs have the potential to cause sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Specific effects include:
- Decreased desire (in both men and women)
- Decreased erectile rigidity, and in some cases impotence
- Problems with ejaculation
- Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men)
- Galactorrhea (abnormal discharge of milk from the nipple)
On a positive note, calcium channel blockers may help reduce premature ejaculation.
How They Cause Sexual Problems
CCBs block calcium activity, which causes blood vessels to dilate and lowers blood pressure. The same mechanism that causes this decrease in blood vessel constriction can also decrease the contractions essential for penile rigidity and orgasmic sensation.
Other possible mechanisms by which CCBs may affect sexual activity include:
-
Decreasing dopamine activity, which can lead to an increase in prolactin. Increased prolactin can have the following effects:
- Reduced sex drive
- Impotence
- Galactorrhea
- Gynecomastia
- Blocking the actions of excitatory peptides that are involved in genital sensation
Alcohol may worsen the sexual side effects. A few drinks combined with a CCB could possibly decrease sexual desire and function in both sexes.
Few sexual effects from CCBs have been reported in women with normal sexual functioning. However, for women who already have sexual difficulties, side effects of CCBs that indirectly affect sexual function may worsen the problem. For example, headache, flushing, swelling, bloating, dizziness, and weakness can dampen sexual desire and response for many women.
Treatment Options
Wait It Out
As you adjust to your new medicine, the sexual side effects may go away.
Change the Drug or Dose
There are many CCBs, and some may be more likely to affect sexual function than others. Among those that less commonly cause erectile problems are:
- Isradipine
- Nicardipine
- Nimodipine
- Nisoldipine
Ask your doctor if you should try a different CCB. You might also discuss the option of lowering the dosage with your doctor. Never change the dose or stop taking your medicine without guidance from your doctor.
Switch Medications
Depending on your condition, there may be other medicines that can manage your medical symptoms without affecting sexual function. For example, ACE inhibitors can sometimes be used in place of CCBs.
Try an Antidote
This involves maintaining your current level of CCB while adding a second medicine to offset the sexual side effects. This option is generally less desirable since antidotes frequently have their own side effects and may adversely interact with the primary medicine you are taking. Drugs that may be prescribed as antidotes include:
- Sildenafil (Viagra)—This medicine is prescribed to men who have erectile dysfunction.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)—This is an antidepressant that is sometimes prescribed to treat sexual problems.
Consider Herbal Supplements
The efficacy of herbal supplements to treat the sexual side effects of CCBs is not clear. Care should also be taken with herbal products because, unlike medicines, they are not strictly regulated. Yohimbine is sometimes used to resolve the sexual dysfunction associated with medicines.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Urological Association
http://www.cua.org/
SexualityandU.ca
http://www.sexualityandu.ca/home_e.aspx/
References:
Crenshaw TL. Sexual Pharmacology: Drugs That Affect Sexual Function. WW Norton & Company; 1996.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Bupropion. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 8, 2010. Accessed June 17, 2010.
DynaMed Editorial Team. Sildenafil. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 8, 2010. Accessed June 17, 2010.
Grimm RH Jr, Grandits GA, Prineas RJ, et al. Long-term effects on sexual function of five antihypertensive drugs and nutritional hygienic treatment in hypertensive men and women. Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study (TOMHS) Hypertension. 1997;29(1 Pt 1):8-14.
Yohimbe. EBSCO Natural and Alternative Treatments website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=15topicID=114 . Updated July 2008. Accessed June 17, 2010.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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