title: Antihypertensive treatment and sexual dysfunction.
abstract: Sexual dysfunction is frequently encountered in hypertensive patients. Available data indicates that sexual dysfunction is more frequent in treated than in untreated patients, generating the hypothesis that antihypertensive therapy might be associated with sexual dysfunction. Several lines of evidence suggest that differences between antihypertensive drugs exist regarding their effects on sexual function. Older antihypertensive drugs (diuretics, beta blockers) exert detrimental effects on erectile function whereas newer drugs (nebivolol, angiotensin receptor blockers) have neutral or even beneficial effects. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitors are effective in hypertensive patients and can be safely administered even when multidrug regimes are used. Precautions need to be taken with alpha blockers or patients with uncontrolled high-risk hypertension, while co-administration with nitrates is contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Asclepeion General Hospital, 41, Thassou Street, 16672, Athens, Greece. ajmanol@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manolis
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doumas
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors