Key takeaways:
There are over 100 different medications that can cause erectile dysfunction (ED).
When it comes to ED, prostate and hair loss medications, and antidepressants are some of the worst offenders.
If you think your medication is causing erection problems, talk with a healthcare professional. Often, stopping the medication or cutting down on your dose can put ED behind you.
If you’re having trouble with firm, reliable erections, it’s always a good idea to take a look at the medications you take. That’s because for every 1 in 4 people with erectile dysfunction (ED), medication is to blame.
Are you wondering whether a medication is causing your ED? You’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about which medications cause ED, which ones don’t, and what to do if you’re having problems.
The top 10 drugs that cause erectile dysfunction
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are over 100 different medications that can cause erection problems. So which ones are the most likely to cause trouble?
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That’s actually a hard question to answer. In research studies, it can be difficult to tell the difference between ED caused by a medication and ED from an underlying health problem. There are also a lot of different drugs that cause ED, so it’s difficult to study them all.
In a recent study, researchers tried to find out more about this. They looked at 10 years of FDA reports from people who had bad experiences with medication. They found that people taking these 10 medications were most likely to have trouble getting an erection:
Finasteride (Propecia, Proscar)
Dutasteride (Avodart)
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Katerzia)
Paliperidone (Invega)
Citalopram (Celexa)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Isotretinoin (Absorica, Claravis, Zenatane)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Quetiapine (Seroquel)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Of note, two of the medications on this list (amlodipine and simvastatin) are not usually linked to ED. The researchers weren’t sure why this was the case. It could be that other health problems or medications were confusing the picture. You can read more about what to make of this below.
In this study, two types of medication were responsible for almost all the complaints about ED. The biggest offenders by far were:
Prostate and hair loss medications (5-alpha-reductase inhibitors or 5-ARIs) like finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart)
Antidepressants and other psychiatric medications
Which “get hard” pills work the best? Check out our GoodRx guide to popular erectile dysfunction meds and how they compare.
Marijuana and erectile dysfunction: Here’s what you need to know about cannabis (weed) and sexual problems.
Can lisinopril cause ED? Learn how lisinopril might actually help your erections get better, especially if you have heart or blood vessel problems.
So let’s take a closer look at these two groups, as well as some other types of medications that can cause erection problems.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs)
These medications treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male-pattern hair loss. They cut down on the activity of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Though this can help with hair loss and prostate enlargement, it can also cause ED and other problems.
Examples include:
Dutasteride (Avodart)
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Antidepressants and other psychiatric medications
Depression can cause low sex drive and ED. But many antidepressants themselves can cause low sex drive and ED — or make them worse. Other psychiatric medications can cause erection problems, too, including antipsychotics and benzodiazepines.
Here are some of the many different psychiatric medications that can cause ED:
SSRIs: Citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
SNRIs: Venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta)
MAOIs: Isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), clomipramine (Anafranil)
Benzodiazepines: Diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax)
Antipsychotics: Risperidone (Risperdal), haloperidol (Haldol), paliperidone (Invega), quetiapine (Seroquel), aripiprazole (Abilify)
There are many theories about why psychiatric medications cause erection problems. Some can affect blood flow to your penis, which may make it harder to have an erection. Other medications affect your brain, which can make you feel less interested in sex — or less responsive physically.
Other medications that cause ED
As mentioned above, over 100 different medications can cause ED. Here are some additional troublemakers to watch out for.
Antihistamines
Many people take antihistamines for seasonal allergies and other conditions. These common over-the-counter meds block the action of histamine, a chemical in the body that plays a role in allergic reactions. But they can also block healthy erections.
Some common antihistamines that can cause ED are:
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
Blood pressure medications and water pills (diuretics)
Many blood pressure medications can cause ED, especially thiazide diuretics and beta blockers. These medications can decrease blood flow to your penis, making it more difficult to have an erection.
Blood pressure medications and diuretics that cause ED include:
Thiazide diuretics: Chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, and hydrochlorothiazide
Beta blockers: Metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal)
Loop diuretics: Furosemide and bumetanide
Other medications: Spironolactone, clonidine, and methyldopa
Other high blood pressure medications are less likely to cause erection problems. They may even be helpful in some cases (more on this below).
Acid reflux medications
Certain acid reflux medications, like H2 blockers, can also cause erectile dysfunction. These include:
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Nizatidine (Axid)
Opioid pain medications
Opioids and ED also go together. If you use opioids long term, they can cause low testosterone levels and ED. Examples include:
Parkinson’s medications
Having Parkinson’s disease can affect your sexual health — including your ability to have regular, firm erections. But some Parkinson’s medications can also cause ED. Examples include:
Benztropine (Cogentin)
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Levodopa (Sinemet)
Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy is a common treatment for prostate cancer. Some types of hormone therapy medications lower testosterone levels in your body. Others block the effect of testosterone itself.
These actions can stop your prostate cancer from growing. But they can also have many side effects — including ED.
Hormone therapy medications that can cause ED include:
LHRH agonists: Goserelin (Zoladex) and leuprolide (Lupron)
LHRH antagonists: Degarelix (Firmagon) and relugolix (Orgovyx)
Antiandrogens: Flutamide (Eulexin), bicalutamide (Casodex), and nilutamide (Nilandron)
Medications that are less likely to cause ED
Ready for some good news? Many types of medications aren’t linked to ED as often. In some cases, they can even help ED get better.
Certain blood pressure medications
Some blood pressure medications are less likely to cause ED than others. In fact, there’s even some evidence that these medications can improve erections in people who have high blood pressure. These include:
ACE inhibitors: Lisinopril, benazepril, enalapril, quinapril, and ramipril
ARBs: Losartan, irbesartan, and valsartan
Calcium channel blockers: Amlodipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine
A note: One calcium channel blocker here (amlodipine) did make the “top 10” list above. But again, researchers weren’t sure exactly what to make of this — especially since other studies haven’t shown a connection to ED.
One possibility is that amlodipine caused other types of ejaculation problems, and people reported it as ED by mistake. Another possibility is people taking amlodipine had blood vessel problems or were taking other medications, both of which can cause ED.
Statins
Despite what you might have heard, statins (cholesterol-lowering medications) don’t usually cause ED. These include:
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
In fact, some men who take statins actually report a 25% improvement in erectile function. And the statin also helps with heart and brain health, so it’s a win-win scenario.
Keep in mind: One statin (simvastatin) also made the “top 10” list above. But the number of times it was reported was actually pretty low compared to other meds. And just like with amlodipine, it’s possible people taking simvastatin had blood vessel problems that were causing ED — rather than the medication.
Some antidepressants
Though most antidepressants come with the risk of ED, there are a few that are less likely to cause problems. Here are your best bets for avoiding ED:
Bupropion (Zyban)
Mirtazapine (Remeron)
Selegiline patches (Emsam)
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
Vilazodone (Viibryd)
Nefazodone (Serzone)
Can you reverse ED caused by medications?
Yes, for the most part. You can often reverse ED and return to your usual abilities by stopping the medication.
If you think your medication is causing erection problems, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you lower your dose or recommend a different medication. And if stopping your medication isn’t an option, they can also suggest other strategies.
Frequently asked questions
Don’t forget that medications aren’t the only cause of ED. Other causes of ED can include:
Physical conditions: Heart disease, diabetes, hormonal disorders, nerve disorders, trauma, or surgery
Emotional causes: Stress, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, worry about sexual performance
Substance use: Alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methadone, amphetamines, and barbiturates
It’s hard to say. It all depends on what’s causing your erectile dysfunction. Some types of ED are curable, while others are permanent.
If you’re having trouble with reliable erections, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand what’s going on with your body, and put together a plan.
There’s no evidence that ibuprofen can help with ED. In fact, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like naproxen and ibuprofen may be linked to sexual side effects — including erection problems.
Don’t forget that medications aren’t the only cause of ED. Other causes of ED can include:
Physical conditions: Heart disease, diabetes, hormonal disorders, nerve disorders, trauma, or surgery
Emotional causes: Stress, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, worry about sexual performance
Substance use: Alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methadone, amphetamines, and barbiturates
It’s hard to say. It all depends on what’s causing your erectile dysfunction. Some types of ED are curable, while others are permanent.
If you’re having trouble with reliable erections, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand what’s going on with your body, and put together a plan.
There’s no evidence that ibuprofen can help with ED. In fact, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like naproxen and ibuprofen may be linked to sexual side effects — including erection problems.
The bottom line
The list of medications here isn’t an exhaustive list of all the medications that can cause ED. But if you have ED, there’s a 1-in-4 chance your medications could be the cause of it. If you think your meds might be causing your ED, speak to a healthcare professional. Together, you can talk about your options and potentially make your ED a thing of the past.
Why trust our experts?
References
Fulbright, Y. K. (n.d.). Sexual effects of Parkinson’s disease. American Parkinson Disease Association.
Higgins, A., et al. (2010). Antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: Impact, effects, and treatment. Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety.
Kaplan-Marans, E., et al. (2022). Medications most commonly associated with erectile dysfunction: Evaluation of the Food and Drug Administration national pharmacovigilance database. Sexual Medicine.
Kostis, J. B., et al. (2015). The effect of statins on erectile dysfunction: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. The Journal of Sexual Medicine.
La Torre, A., et al. (2021). Sexual dysfunctions related to drugs used in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A narrative review on ?-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Uro.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Drugs that may cause erection problems.
Miller, T. A. (2000). Diagnostic evaluation of erectile dysfunction. American Family Physician.
National Cancer Institute. (2024). Hormone therapy for prostate cancer. National Institutes of Health.
Park, Y. W., et al. (2012). Antipsychotic-induced sexual dysfunction and its management. The World Journal of Men’s Health.
Simonsen, U., et al. (2016). Modulation of dopaminergic pathways to treat erectile dysfunction. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Teixeira, E., et al. (2020). Review of the current information on erectile dysfunction in hypertensive males with 40 years of age or older. Porto Biomedical Journal.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
