Inderal and Impotence: An Overview
As with all medicines, Inderal has possible side effects. Some of these side effects can affect a person's sexual well-being. In the case of Inderal, 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).
Research Findings on Inderal and Impotence
Impotence was a documented side effect in clinical studies conducted before Inderal was approved.
However, the study did not report how common a side effect impotence was. Erectile dysfunction is also reported occasionally with other beta blockers. However, given how infrequently impotence is reported and how common it is within the general population, it is difficult to tell whether the erectile dysfunction is actually caused by the medication, other factors, or a combination of both.
An interesting study was done on whether being aware that impotence was a possible side effect would actually cause the sexual problem. What the researchers who did the study found is that people who knew that impotence was a side effect of beta blockers (including Inderal) were more likely to develop the problem. Their conclusion was that "the knowledge and prejudice about side effects of beta blockers can produce
anxiety that may cause erectile dysfunction." Interestingly, this study also found that a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients) was just as effective as
sildenafil (
Viagra®) for reversing impotence in these men taking a beta blocker.
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