Does lisinopril cause erectile dysfunction?  

Lisinopril is a prescription medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure. Like most drugs, lisinopril may cause side effects. But does lisinopril cause erectile dysfunction (ED), specifically? Not usually. 

In fact, lisinopril might actually improve ED. Approximately 35% or more of people with high blood pressure have ED, according to research. Taking lisinopril to help lower blood pressure can help prevent damage to blood vessels and maintain healthy blood flow to the penis — an essential component of getting and maintaining erections. 

But if you are experiencing down-there difficulties and have just started taking lisinopril, you might be curious about what’s going on. So, what’s the deal? Ahead, we break down everything you need to know about lisinopril and ED. 

Lisinopril is commonly prescribed to treat hypertension (aka high blood pressure). It belongs to a class of blood pressure drugs known as ACE inhibitors, and is sold under the brand names Prinivil, Zesril, and Qbrelis. 

ACE — which stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme — is an enzyme in the body that has many functions. Most notably, it can lead the blood vessels to constrict, increasing the pressure needed to move blood through the body (aka resulting in blood pressure). Lisinopril works by blocking ACE, thus limiting blood vessel constriction and lowering blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors are typically considered among the first-line treatments for high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider might prescribe lisinopril to help relax blood vessels, which then lowers blood pressure throughout your body. Other reasons why you might be prescribed lisinopril include to help with recovery after a heart attack, manage heart failure, or protect kidney function if you have diabetes. 

Lisinopril is most commonly available as tablets in various strengths or liquid solution that typically comes in 1 mg/mL dose.

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Lisinopril doesn’t tend to cause erectile dysfunction, but if it does, symptoms are usually at the beginning of treatment and temporary, according to research. While some blood pressure medications commonly cause erectile dysfunction as a side effect, lisinopril isn’t one of them. 

ED is a common type of sexual dysfunction that involves the consistent or recurrent inability to attain or maintain an erection. While ED has many potential causes, including physical, social, and/or psychological issues, blood flow problems are the most common culprit. So it’s not surprising that many people with ED also tend to be on blood pressure medications. 

Although “does lisinopril cause erectile dysfunction?” is a frequently asked question, the drug might actually have the opposite effect of ED. Lisinopril can help improve sexual function in the long term in men with ED and high blood pressure. This is because a major cause of ED is high blood pressure, and about 40% of men with ED also have hypertension. So, getting your blood pressure under control with the help of a medication, such as lisinopril, can help address your erectile troubles. Being an ACE inhibitor, lisinopril is less likely to cause long-term ED than other classes of antihypertensive (blood pressure-lowering) drugs, such as atenolol. 

If you are taking lisinopril but have trouble getting or keeping an erection, talk to your healthcare provider. They may need to adjust the dosing of your blood pressure medications. They may also want to check whether there is another explanation for your ED.

Examples of factors and conditions commonly associated with ED include:

• High cholesterol or atherosclerosis (narrowed or hardened blood vessels)

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Low testosterone

• Smoking

• Alcohol use (especially in excess)

• Sleep apnea 

• Obesity

Your healthcare provider may talk to you about lifestyle changes you can make to help improve erectile function, such as quitting smoking, losing weight, and limiting alcohol use.

While lisinopril is unlikely to cause ED, it — like all other prescription medications — can cause side effects. Common side effects of the drug are:

• Headache

• Dry cough

• Hypotension (low blood pressure, especially if taken at too high a dose 

• Dizziness (which could be a sign of low blood pressure)

• Increased potassium levels

Side effects of lisinopril are more likely to occur at higher doses. The dosing of lisinopril ranges from 2.5 mg to 40 mg per day.

Rarely, lisinopril may cause serious side effects, such as severe allergic reactions like rash or angioedema (a severe type of swelling that can affect your lips, mouth, and breathing). If this happens to you, seek emergency medical attention and avoid taking lisinopril again. 

Lisinopril’s side effects may be more common in people with kidney problems, autoimmune disorders, electrolyte imbalances, and those taking specific medications that could interact. Your healthcare provider can offer personal medical advice regarding how to manage side effects from blood pressure meds. 

High blood pressure can damage the lining of blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow to the penis. And remember: erectile dysfunction is commonly caused by issues with blood flow. 

Biologically speaking, getting an erection is a complex process. It requires your brain, nerves, and blood vessels to work together. An erection happens when your brain signals the blood vessels in your penis to dilate or relax. This allows blood to flow into the penis, making it swell and stiffen. If there’s a “glitch” in any part of the system, it becomes more difficult to get or keep an erection. With high blood pressure, a glitch may occur when your blood vessels can’t dilate enough after receiving the signal from your brain. 

Not only can high blood pressure cause ED, but left unchecked, it can also raise your risk of serious complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure range can prevent or slow blood vessel damage, so treatment is essential. However, certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, such as diuretics and beta-blockers (like atenolol), may cause or worsen erectile dysfunction.

If you have ED and high blood pressure, you should not stop or skip your high blood pressure medication on your own. Instead, talk with a healthcare provider. They can work with you to find the right medications and dosages. 

While lisinopril is unlikely to cause erectile dysfunction, one possible way it could is by lowering your blood pressure too much. If your blood pressure is too low, your body won’t be in the right state to get an erection. If you are experiencing ED with lisinopril, you may want to check your blood pressure (something you can do with an over-the-counter upper arm cuff-style monitor). This way, you can share the reading with your healthcare provider to help them determine the next best steps. 

In general, ACE inhibitors don’t typically cause ED, and when they do, the effects are short-term. Some examples of other ACE inhibitors include benazepril (Lotensin) and enalapril (Vasotec).

While there are blood pressure medication classes known to cause ED, like beta blockers and thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors aren’t usually considered one of them. Other blood pressure medications that aren’t known to cause ED include calcium channel blockers, like amlodipine (Norvasc). 

Yes, it’s generally safe to use ED medication while taking lisinopril. Both ED and blood pressure medications work to relax and open up your blood vessels. Because of this, however, it’s essential to inform your healthcare provider that you’re taking lisinopril, especially before starting ED medication. And if you experience symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness while taking both an ED drug and lisinopril, seek emergency medical attention, as these could be signs of dangerously low blood pressure. Though it’s unlikely for this to happen, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another class of drugs, on the other hand, known as nitrates (like nitroglycerin), is usually not considered safe to take with ED medication. Nitroglycerin should not be taken with ED medications because there is a greater likelihood of dangerously low blood pressure when combining these medications. 

In summary, though research shows you can usually take lisinopril safely with ED drugs, it’s still important to talk with your healthcare provider about all the medications (prescription and over the counter) you’re taking and exercise caution when taking these treatments by staying hydrated.  

Experts recommend a variety of lifestyle changes and treatment options for managing ED, depending on the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction. 

Medical treatment of ED generally involves taking medications from the PDE-5 inhibitor drug class. These drugs work in part by increasing blood flow to the penis, which can result in stronger, longer-lasting erections. All of the medications in this class require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider and have similar effectiveness, but they may not be safe for everyone. 

Some of the most commonly used PDE-5 inhibitors include:

• Viagra (sildenafil): This medication is typically used as needed before sexual activity. It takes about 30–60 minutes to start working and can last up to four hours or even longer in some cases.

• Cialis (tadalafil): This medication can be taken either as needed or once a day (at a lower dose). When taken as needed, Cialis can take as little as 15–30 minutes to kick in and can last up to 36 hours. Daily Cialis, on the other hand, maintains a steady level of the medication in your system, allowing for more spontaneous sexual activity. 

• Vardenafil: While it was previously also available under the brand name Levitra, vardenafil now only comes as a generic medication. It’s generally taken as needed before sexual activity, can start working in as little as 10 minutes (though more commonly between 30 to 60 minutes), and can last 5–7 hours. 

Not a fan of pills? You can find certain PDE5 inhibitors in other formulations, such as:

• Ro Sparks: A sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablet that combines sildenafil and tadalafil (the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, respectively) to create a fast-acting treatment that starts working in 15 minutes, on average. It can also stay active for up to 36 hours. 

• Daily Rise Gummies: These fruit-flavored gummies contain tadalafil and are designed to be taken daily, so you can be ready 24/7. 

Though the above two medications are not specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ED, the active ingredients they contain have been individually FDA-approved for ED. 

If pills are not working to help you address your ED, don’t despair. You may have other options — and all of you have to do is talk to your healthcare provider about potentially trying something else. One alternative to oral PDE5 inhibitors, for example, is ED injections. This treatment involves injecting medication directly into the penis to achieve an erection, oftentimes without requiring arousal.

In some cases, ED may be caused by underlying mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or stress. A mental health professional may suggest therapy to talk through the root causes and learn ways to cope with triggers and symptoms. Mental health medication may be recommended if necessary.

Other treatment options for ED include natural remedies (though more research is needed in this area) and devices such as ED vacuum devices. These devices use suction to assist in getting an erection, and may be a good choice for men unable or unwilling to take ED medications or for those not seeing improvement with PDE-5 inhibitors. Surgical options are also a possibility but are generally used as a last resort when other available options haven’t helped.

If you have ED, don’t give up on your sex life. Help is available. Talk with a healthcare provider who can help you find the best treatment option for you.

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Does lisinopril cause ED? Turns out, not often and even if so, typically not for long. But there are factors to consider when taking the medication, including whether you have any other health conditions and your personal circumstances. 

• Lisinopril might actually help your ED symptoms. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor given for high blood pressure. The most common cause for ED is blood flow issues. So when you take lisinopril to lower blood pressure, you can prevent blood vessel damage and help bring more blood flow to the penis to maintain erections. 

• While ED is typically not a common side effect of lisinopril, the medication can cause other side effects, including headache, dry cough, low blood pressure, and dizziness. These side effects might be worse in people with certain health conditions, like kidney problems or autoimmune conditions. 

• If you do notice ED while taking lisinopril, know that it’s usually temporary. While it doesn't happen often, some people might notice ED symptoms when they first start taking the medication. These effects usually go away after a month or so of being on the drug. If it persists, however, measure your blood pressure and discuss the phenomenon with your healthcare provider. If you ever experience lightheadedness or dizziness, stop the medication and seek emergency medical attention. 

• It’s generally safe to take ED medications while you’re taking lisinopril, which is also true for most other ACE inhibitors. The combination of the two medications shouldn’t cause a big drop in your blood pressure, but you should still be careful and avoid taking high doses of ED medication unless expressly directed to by your healthcare provider. Some other blood pressure medications, like nitroglycerin, might cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low, so you shouldn't take ED medications with these. Discuss your entire medication list and any changes to your medications with your healthcare provider to keep yourself safe while taking ED treatment.