Erectile Dysfunction

• Erectile Dysfunction, what is it?
• What Causes an Erection?
• What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
• Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Epileptic, and Antidepressant Drugs
• Anti-Arrythmic Drugs
• Anti-Histamines
• Anti-Hypertensive and Diuretic Drugs
• Chemotherapy Medications
• Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists
• Muscle Relaxants
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Parkinson's Disease Medications
• Prostate Cancer Medications
• Diagnosing ED

Erectile Dysfunction, what is it?
The recurrent inability to attain or retain an erection adequate for sexual intercourse is known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED). Approximately 15 to 30 million men across the United States suffer from ED. The prevalence of this problem increases as men age. However, ED can be treated effectively.
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What Causes an Erection?
The erection process is quite intricate. First, a physical or mental stimulus is received by the brain. A signal is then transmitted through a series of nerves from the brain to the penis. This signal causes the blood vessels in the penis to relax. Upon relaxation of these penile blood vessels, blood flows more freely into the penis. A high pressure causes the blood in the penis to be trapped in the corpus cavernosum. This leads to a sustained erection. The corpus cavernosum consists of two columns of erectile tissue that run parallel to one another and form the shape of the penis.
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What are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Several factors can cause ED. These factors can be classified as physical, psychological, or both. The majority of cases are due to physical problems. ED can be caused by any type of condition that leads to the disruption in the process of events that occur during a normal erection (explained above). Common conditions that lead to ED include neurological disease, malignancies, diabetes, vascular disease, and kidney disease. Diabetes hinders the conduction from peripheral nerves to the penis. Nerve conduction to the brain may be impaired by stroke or spinal cord injuries. Hypertension (increased blood pressure), peripheral vascular disease, and atherosclerosis (hardening and thickening of arterial walls) can decrease the flow of blood to the penis. Ten to twenty percent of all ED cases can be attributed to psychological problems. These consist of depression, indifference, stress, low self-esteem, guilt, and anxiety. Patients with psychological problems frequently fail to react to psychogenic stimuli.

Medication induced ED occurs when the condition is elicited by medications that the patient is taking. Listed in the tables below are over 200 possible medications that can cause ED. Any medication listed should not be discontinued prior to consulting your physician.
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Drug Class
Anti-Anxiety, Anti-Epileptic, and Antidepressant Drugs
Generic (Brand)
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Amoxipine (Asendin)
Buspirone (Buspar)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Clorazepate (Tranxene)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Diazepam (Valium)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
Oxazepam (Serax)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
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Anti-Arrythmic Drugs
Generic (Brand)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
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Anti-Histamines
Generic (Brand)
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
Meclizine (Antivert)
Promethazine (Phenergan)
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Anti-Hypertensive and Diuretic Drugs
Generic (Brand)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Captopril (Capoten)
Chlorothalidone (Hygrotone)
Clonidine (Catapres)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Guanfacine (Tenex)
Hydralazine (Apresoline)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril,
Inderide, Moduretic, Oretic, Lotensin)
Labetalol (Normodyne)
Methyldopa (Aldomet)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Triamterine (Maxide, Dyazide)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
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Chemotherapy Medications
Generic (Brand)
Busulfan (Myleran)
Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
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Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists
Generic (Brand)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Nizatidine (Axid)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
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Muscle Relaxants
Generic (Brand)
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Orphenadrine (Norflex)
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Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Generic (Brand)
Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)
Indomethacin (Indocin)
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Parkinson's Disease Medications
Generic (Brand)
Benztropine (Cogentin)
Biperiden (Akineton)
Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Levodopa (Sinemet)
Procyclidine (Kemadrin)
Trihexylphenidyl (Artane)
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Prostate Cancer Medications
Generic (Brand)
Flutamide (Eulexin)
Leuprolide (Lupron)
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Diagnosing ED
A physician will perform a detailed examination in order to attain an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical exam as well as obtain a surgical history, blood work, medical history, sexual history, and medication history. Lastly, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire known as the “International Index of ED” which will help to evaluate the quality of sexual intercourse and erectile function.

The information on this website should not be used to diagnose or treat patients without the specific direction and supervision of a physician. You should consult with a physician who knows your medical history and current medical conditions before using Tri-Mix or any erectile dysfunction treatments. Your treatment should be individualized for you by a prescribing physician. Tri-Mix is for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction and is not approved by the FDA. Tri-Mix requires a prescription and can only be filled at a compounding pharmacy.
Copyright 2011

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