Drug Side Effects that can sabotage your sex life
Some of the most of the commonly prescibed drugs today can ruin your sex life, cause permenant damage or kill you.
(1) The information does not include dysfunctions caused by interactions between drugs,
(2) May cause prolonged, painful erections,
(3) Finasteride is also available as Propecia for treating hair loss.
| Medication | Decreased Sexual Desire | Erectile Dysfunction or Vaginal Dryness | Difficulting Reaching Orgasm | Ejaculation Problems |
| Antianxiety Drugs | ||||
| Alprazolam (Xanax) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Diazepan (Valium) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Anticonvulsants | ||||
| Carbamazepine (Tegretol) | YES | YES | ||
| Phenytoin (Dilantin) (2) | YES | YES | ||
| Primidone (Myidone, Mysoline) | YES | YES | ||
| Antidepressants | ||||
| Amitriptyline (Elavil) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Amoxapine (Asendin) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Clomipramine (Anafranil) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Desipramine (Norpramin) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Fluoxetine (Prozac) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Imipramine (Norfranil, Tofranil) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Paroxetine (Paxil) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Phenelzine (Nardil) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Sertraline (Zoloft) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Trazodone (Desyrel) (2) | YES | YES | ||
| Venlafaxine (Effexor) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Antihypertensives | ||||
| Atenolol (Tenormin) | YES | YES | ||
| Chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone) | YES | YES | ||
| Clonidine (Catapres) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDIURIL) | YES | YES | ||
| Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate) (2) | YES | YES | YES | |
| Methyldopa (Aldomet) | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Metoprolol (Lopressor) | YES | YES | ||
| Propranolol (Inderal) | YES | YES | ||
| Spironolactone (Aldactone) | YES | YES | ||
| Enlarged-Prostate drugs | ||||
| Finasteride (Proscar) (3) | YES | YES | ||
| Heartburn drugs | ||||
| Cinetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB | YES | YES | ||
| Famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcid AC) | YES | YES | ||
| Nizatidine (Axid, Axid AR) | YES | YES | ||
| Ranitidine (Zantac, Zantac 75) | YES | YES | ||
| Heart-failure drug | ||||
| Amiodarone (Cordarone) | YES | YES | ||
| Muscle relaxant | ||||
| Baclofen (Lioresal) | YES | YES | YES |
Prescription drug injuries and deaths reach record levels
October 22, 2008
The number of deaths and serious injuries associated with prescription drug use rose to record levels in the first quarter of this year, with 4,825 deaths and nearly 21,000 injuries, a watchdog group said Wednesday.
Those numbers represent a nearly three-fold increase in deaths from the previous quarter and a 38% increase in injuries from last year's quarterly average, according to the Horsham, Pa.-based Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
The most dangerous medications were the anti-smoking drug varenicline, which was linked to 1,001 injuries and 50 deaths in the three-month period ending in March, and the blood thinner heparin, which was associated with 779 injuries and 102 deaths.
The data came from voluntary reports of adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration, which made the data public after stripping information that identified victims. Because the reporting is voluntary, researchers have speculated that fewer than 10% of adverse events actually makes it into the system.
The heparin cases were associated with contaminated lots of the drug imported from China. The FDA has reported 238 deaths linked to the blood thinner since January, but the number dwindled once the problem was recognized and addressed.
Varenicline remains an ongoing problem, however, according to institute officials. Since the drug -- sold in the United States by Pfizer Inc. under the brand name Chantix -- was approved in 2006, it has been linked to 3,325 serious injuries and 112 deaths.
Some reports were linked to people attempting suicide or causing injury to themselves after using the drug, which can evoke serious psychiatric problems. Others were linked to blackouts, seizures or loss of consciousness, perhaps tied to sudden disturbances in heart rhythm.
Earlier reports by the institute stating that varenicline could lead to lapses in alertness or motor control led the Federal Aviation Administration in May to ban use of the drug by airline pilots and traffic controllers. The Department of Transportation has limited its use by truck drivers, and the Department of Defense has prohibited its use by aircraft and missile crews.
One possible explanation for the link might have been the success of the drug and the large number of people using it, the report said. But investigation showed that, during the quarter, varenicline accounted for more reports of serious injury than the top 10 best-selling prescription drugs combined.
The institute called for a stronger risk warning on the Chantix label.
A Pfizer statement released Wednesday speculated that the large number of reports might be linked to the high level of adverse publicity associated with the drug. It noted also that nicotine withdrawal could cause irritability, depressed mood and other changes in behavior.
"Based on the [the] totality of data, we stand by the efficacy and safety profile of Chantix when used as directed," the statement said. "Chantix labeling accurately reflects its efficacy and safety event reports and clinical trial data."
Figures released Tuesday by Pfizer showed U.S. sales of Chantix at $96 million in the third quarter, down 49% from the same period last year.
The increase in deaths during the first quarter was not dominated by any one drug. Instead, 10 drugs each caused more than 100 deaths, compared with an average of one to three drugs in previous quarters.
Many of the reports were linked to powerful painkillers or narcotics such as oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, methadone and hydrocodone, all of which have a high potential for abuse.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen were among the top 10 drugs causing both injuries and deaths. The drugs are often used in suicide attempts because they are easily accessible. Overdosing or prolonged usage of the drugs can cause side effects including gastrointestinal damage and heart attacks.
Thomas Maugh is a Los Angeles Times staff writer.
