Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
Sexual problems are one of the most common side effects from drugs used to treat high blood pressure. These problems can include: • Loss of libido (sexual drive or interest) • Erectile dysfunction (impotence) • Difficulties reaching orgasm (anorgasmia) • Altered ejaculation (in men) • Decreased vaginal lubrication (in women), leading to painful intercourse Almost all blood pressure drugs can affect one or more aspects of sexual function. This is particularly true for a class of drugs called beta blockers, which includes the drugs metoprolol (Toprol and Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal) and carvedilol (Coreg). In contrast, sexual side effects are uncommon with the class of blood pressure drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. This class includes the drugs enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil and Zestril), captopril (Capoten) and ramipril (Altace). If you start a new blood pressure dug and develop sexual side effects or a
