Does lisinopril cause erectile dysfunction?

Lisinopril does not typically cause erectile dysfunction (ED). In fact, the blood pressure control lisinopril offers could even help prevent or potentially improve ED. 

Approximately 35% or more of people with high blood pressure (or hypertension) have some degree of  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 doesn’t tend to cause erectile dysfunction. According to research, while starting a blood pressure medication could cause some erectile changes at first, these effects don’t tend to stick around for long with lisinopril. 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 where you struggle to get or keep 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. 

That being said, getting high blood pressure under control supports the healthy blood flow that erections depend on. That’s why lisinopril might even help improve sexual function in the long term in men with ED and high blood pressure. 

This is because high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels over time and impair the blood flow needed for healthy erections. In fact, a major cause of ED is high blood pressure, and about 40% of men with ED also have hypertension. 

So, if lisinopril can help you get your blood pressure under control, it might be able to help you keep your blood vessels healthy and support healthy erections. 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.

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While lisinopril is unlikely to cause ED, it can cause side effects such as:

• 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, depending on your other medical conditions and your kidney function.

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. 

Yes, it’s generally safe to use ED medication while taking lisinopril. While both ED and blood pressure medications work to relax and open up your blood vessels in different ways, you can still take them together. But it’s essential to inform your healthcare provider that you’re taking lisinopril, especially before starting ED medication. 

If you experience symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness while taking both an ED drug and lisinopril, sit or lie down and drink water if you’re able to. If symptoms persist, seek emergency medical attention, as these could be signs of dangerously low blood pressure. 

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.  

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. 

Getting an erection is a complex process that involves your brain, nerves, and blood vessels. The brain signals the blood vessels in the penis to dilate, which brings more blood flow, causing the penis to swell and stiffen. A glitch anywhere in that system, such as blood vessels failing to dilate enough in high blood pressure, can make it harder to get or keep an erection. 

Not only can high blood pressure cause ED, but left unchecked, it can also raise your risk of serious complications, such as a heart attack and stroke. Maintaining healthy blood pressure 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, it could do so 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.

Think you may be experiencing ED with lisinopril? Consider checking 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. 

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 can include taking medications from the PDE-5 inhibitor drug class. These drugs can help increase blood flow to the penis when you are aroused, 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 used as needed before sexual activity. It takes about 30–60 minutes to start working and can last up to four hours or longer.

• 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 taken as needed before sexual activity, can start working in as little as 10 minutes (though more commonly between 30 and 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, after it dissolves. 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. 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 prescription 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. Therapy can be helpful for talking through the root causes and learning ways to cope with triggers and symptoms. If needed, your healthcare provider might suggest mental health medication.

Other 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 PDE5 inhibitors. 

Surgical options are also a possibility, but are generally used as a last resort when other available options haven’t helped.

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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 other aspects of your health and your personal circumstances. 

• Lisinopril might actually help your ED symptoms by controlling your blood pressure over time. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor given for high blood pressure. The most common cause of 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 more frequently, 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 to see if your dose might need to be adjusted. 

• It’s generally safe to take ED medications while you’re taking lisinopril, which is also true for most other ACE inhibitors. Combining the two medications shouldn’t cause a big drop in blood pressure, but avoid taking high doses of ED medication without your provider’s approval and guidance. Don’t take ED medication with nitroglycerin because this combination might cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.