Reaching in the medicine cabinet when heartburn or allergy strikes is a common occurrence for many men. However, many don’t realize that well-known prescription drugs can have serious side effects, including decreased libido and erectile dysfunction, or ED. Pills affect everything from the nervous system and hormones to healthy blood flow. In fact, there are statistics that demonstrate nearly 25% of ED cases are caused by prescription pills. Below is a breakdown of prescription medication known to cause erectile dysfunction and other unwanted symptoms.
Acid Reflux Pills
Certain acid reflux medications, called Histamine-2 antagonists, work by primarily blocking histamines to reduce acid in the stomach. These pills are often prescribed to treat everything from heartburn to ulcers. Research studies have demonstrated that histamines may encourage erections by activating parts of the shaft, so taking antihistamines to treat gastrointestinal issues reverts the possibility of an active erection. Some examples of acid reflux medications linked to ED side effects are Maxolon, Pepcid, Reglan, Tagamet, and Zantac.
Allergy Pills
Antihistamines work to alleviate allergy symptoms by blocking histamines in similar ways that acid reflux pills do. This histamine suppression affects the central nervous system from the brain all the way to the penis. Many allergy pills also contain Sudafed - a vasoconstrictor affecting blood flow. The combined effects of a foggy central system paired with decreased blood flow negatively affect healthy erections. This includes common allergy medications like Antivert, Benadryl, Dramamine, and Phenergan.
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a type of antidepressants that can be quite effective at treating depression. However, they’ve also been linked to erectile dysfunction symptoms. Some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medications like Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft have been associated with erectile dysfunction.
Blood Pressure Pills
High blood pressure eventually causes damage to arteries and blood vessel linings which limits blow flow to the entire body, including the penis. If a man is experiencing issues with his heart or high blood pressure then he’ll more than likely experience ED as well. Certain prescribed blood pressure pills can cause even more sexual problems, like diuretics, since they decrease blood flow to the penis while decreasing your body’s levels of zinc, which is required to make testerone. Some of the high blood pressure pills that are linked with ED symptoms are Esidrix, Hygroton, Lozol, and Zaroxolyn.
Alternatives to Prescription Pills
Men should never stop taking their prescribed medications without consulting their doctor first. However, if important medications are causing ED, there is an alternative solution that doesn’t require taking additional drugs. Giddy is a revolutionary, hormone-free wearable device utilized as ED treatment. Giddy works by applying pressure to veins to greatly assist in achieving and maintaining erections. There are no drugs or hormones involved, thus no adverse side effects caused by drug combination complications. Sudden drops in blood pressure can be quite dangerous and common when combining ED pills with other forms of medication. Giddy removes the possibility of these pill combo complications. Additionally, taking medication to treat ED can rack up hefty doctor and pharmacy bills.
It’s completely possible to maintain a satisfying sex life when medication to treat different ailments is required. However, adding in yet another pill to combat ED isn’t the best solution. Avoid unwanted side effects with Giddy. Curious? Get Giddy.
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