Altace and Impotence

In clinical studies documenting the side effects of Altace, impotence was reported in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Altace and impotence may be linked, but since impotence occurred in so few people taking the drug, it's difficult to tell whether the impotence was caused by the medication, other factors, or a combination of both. If you develop sexual side effects while taking Altace, your healthcare provider may recommend that you adjust your Altace dosage or try another heart failure or high blood pressure medicine.

 

An Overview of Altace and Impotence

Altace® (ramipril) is an ACE inhibitor that is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. As with all medicines, there are possible side effects with Altace. Some of these side effects can affect a person's sexual well-being.
 
With Altace, sexual side effects that have been reported include impotence. Impotence 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, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Impotence is also known as erectile dysfunction or ED for short.
 
In clinical studies documenting the side effects of Altace, impotence was reported in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Given how infrequently this condition was reported and how common it is within the general population, it is difficult to tell whether this side effect is because of the medication, other factors, or a combination of both.
 

Altace and Impotence: Suggestions

It is impossible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will develop any sexual side effects while taking Altace.
 Also, if a person does develop sexual side effects such as impotence, it is difficult to know whether these problems are caused by another condition or Altace itself.
 
If you develop sexual side effects while taking Altace, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. There is treatment that he or she may be able to recommend, such as an erectile dysfunction medicine. Depending on how severe your sexual side effects are, your healthcare provider may also recommend that you adjust your Altace dosage or try another heart failure or high blood pressure medicine.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;