Labetalol Sexual Side Effects: An Overview
Labetalol hydrochloride (sold under the brand name
Trandate® and available as a generic) is a prescription medicine used for
controlling high blood pressure. Just like all medicines, it can cause side effects. Some of these can affect a person's sexual well-being. In the case of labetalol, sexual side effects that have been reported include:
- Ejaculation failure.
- Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED). This 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.
- Peyronie's disease.
In clinical studies documenting
labetalol side effects, ejaculation failure was reported in up to 5 percent of men. Impotence was reported in up to 4 percent of people taking the medication. With both of these sexual side effects, the likelihood increased as the dose was increased. With the normal maintenance dose of 200 mg to 400 mg twice a day, impotence occurred in up to 1 percent of people and ejaculation failure in up to 2 percent of men.
Peyronie's disease was reported in less than 1 percent of patients.
Suggestions for Sexual Problems With Labetalol
It is impossible for your healthcare provider to know whether you will develop any sexual side effects while taking labetalol.
If such problems do occur, it is difficult to know whether they are caused by the medication or other factors.
However, if you develop any labetalol sexual side effects, make sure to talk with your healthcare provider. He or she may be able to diagnose the cause. Treatment options are also available, such as an
erectile dysfunction medication. If your symptoms continue to be bothersome, or if your healthcare provider believes the medicine is responsible, he or she may recommend trying another
blood pressure medicine.
