Captopril and Erectile Dysfunction

Sexual side effects may potentially occur with the use of captopril, and erectile dysfunction has been reported. However, it has only occurred in less than 1 percent of patients, so it is unknown whether the condition is caused by captopril or by something else. If you are taking captopril and erectile dysfunction develops, your healthcare provider can recommend treatment options or may recommend a drug other than captopril.

Captopril Medication

An Overview of Captopril and Erectile Dysfunction

Captopril (available as Capoten^® and generic captopril) is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. As with all medicines, captopril has some possible side effects. Some of these side effects can affect a person's sexual well-being. In the case of captopril, sexual side effects that have been reported include erectile dysfunction. This condition is usually defined as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. Ultimately, erectile dysfunction is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction is also known as impotence or ED for short.

In clinical studies documenting side effects of captopril, erectile dysfunction was reported in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Given how uncommonly this condition was reported and how common it is within the general population, however, it is difficult to tell whether this side effect is caused by the medication, other factors, or a combination of both.

Captopril and Erectile Dysfunction: Suggestions

It is impossible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will develop any sexual side effects while taking captopril.

Also, if a person does develop sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, it is difficult to know whether these problems are caused by another condition or by captopril.

However, if you develop sexual side effects while taking captopril, talk with your healthcare provider. There are treatments that he or she may be able to recommend, such as an erectile dysfunction medicine. Depending on how severe your sexual side effects are, he or she may also recommend that you adjust your captopril dosage or try another heart failure or high blood pressure medicine.