Heart Medications May Be to Blame for His Reduced Sex Drive
Question: I’ve had open heart surgery and take many medicines daily: Lanoxin, Lipitor, Tenormin, Coumadin, Lasix, Vasotec and Micro K. I feel good, but I haven’t had an erection in four years, since about the time I began taking all these pills. I’m very concerned. My libido is also low. Which of these pills is causing my problem, and can I stop or reduce any of them? My doctor told me to see a urologist. Is he passing the buck?
--M.J., Los Angeles
Answer: Impotence and low libido can be caused by a number of factors, including atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Many medications can also contribute to sexual difficulties. Some of your drugs are associated with diminished sex drive or inadequate erections. You may not be able to discontinue any of them, however, because of your heart condition. It is especially important that you not stop any of these without medical supervision.
Please talk to a urologist about treatments for impotence. Viagra might not be appropriate for a person with your medical history, but there are other approaches that may be effective including alprostadil (Caverject and MUSE), a vacuum pump or testosterone replacement.
We are sending you our “Guides to Drugs That Affect Sexuality” and “Treatments for Impotence.” If you would like a copy, please send $2 in check or money order with a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. YP-511, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.
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Q: It is well-known that anti-inflammatories in general are helpful in preventing colon polyps. Which specific anti-inflammatory is recognized as the most effective against this problem?
--R.H., Santa Monica
A: NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), sulindac (Clinoril), indomethacin (Indocin) and even aspirin have been shown to reduce the risk of colon polyps becoming cancerous. Such medications pose a threat of digestive upset or ulceration, and so we discourage anyone from undertaking such a regimen without consulting a physician. Because they all work in the same manner, it is not clear which one, if any, is safest and most effective.
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Q: Five years ago, I dieted down to 210 from almost 246 at the rate of about two pounds a week. I did it by avoiding sweets, fast foods and all fried foods, as well as cutting portions. It was incredibly difficult and took all my willpower, but my borderline blood sugar and my cholesterol returned to normal.
This summer, I decided to go for the other 60 pounds. I concentrated on eating healthy foods and found I had no room for junk. It worked and I am down to 190.
I was distressed to learn that my cholesterol is back up (244). My doctor has suggested Mevacor, but I would rather not take medicine. Will Benecol margarine on my toast and vegetables work?
--E.T., Fontana
A: The stanol esters in Benecol margarine have been shown to lower cholesterol by at least 10%. That may not satisfy your physician, but it is a good place to start. Stanol esters are a class of chemicals found in plants that have an effect on lipid levels like cholesterol.
You may wish to consider some other non-drug options including the Aryuvedic herb guggul, the soluble fiber psyllium or even red yeast rice, which contains low doses of naturally occurring lovastatin, the compound in Mevacor.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their newest book is “The People’s Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies” (St. Martin’s Press). In this special People’s Pharmacy column, the Graedons answer letters from readers of the Los Angeles Times only. Send questions to the Graedons at People’s Pharmacy, care of King Features, 235 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017, or e-mail them via their Web site at https://www.peoplespharmacy.com. Please include your address, which will not be published, and identify yourself as a reader of The Times.
