Question:
My GP has never heard of it he says, but my Urologist just told me to
get off of Lipitor as it is most likely the cause of my ED. So my GP
has me now on Zetia. I've read this group for 4 mos now and see no
reference to Lipitor and ED.
I'm a healthy 64-year-old, great BP, (that of a 16-year-old the nurse
tells me) but since I've been on Lipitor, (3 years) ED has become a
growing presence. I know.... every med has it's own side effects, but
if Lipitor was the cause of my ED, what will Zetia bring?? Comments?
Answer:
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common although under-reported by
patients. Along with the better known causes of ED, drug-induced impotence
needs to be considered as a cause of this symptom. Lipid-lowering drugs have
been prescribed increasingly. Their relationship to ED is controversial.
OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to clarify the relationship between lipid-lowering
therapy and ED. A secondary aim was to assess the value of the systematic
review procedure in the area of adverse drug reactions. METHODS: A
systematic review was carried out using computerized biomedical databases
and Internet sources. Terms denoting ED were linked with terms referring to
lipid-lowering drugs. Information was also sought from regulatory agencies.
RESULTS: A significant literature was identified, much from obscure sources,
which included case reports, review articles, and information from clinical
trials and from regulatory agencies. Information from all of these sources
identified fibrates as a source of ED. A substantial number of cases of ED
associated with statin usage have been reported to regulatory agencies. Case
reports and clinical trial evidence supported the suggestion that statins
can also cause ED. Some information on possible mechanisms was obtained, but
the mechanism remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic review
procedure was applied successfully to collect evidence suggesting that both
statins and fibrates may cause ED. More numerous reports to regulatory
agencies complemented more detailed information from case reports to provide
a new perspective on a common area of prescribing.
============
There are other discussion boards on Lipitor. The Dispace statin boards are
an excellent source:
Lipitor: http://forum.ditonline.com/viewboard.php?BoardID=38
Don't know about Zetia, but here are some other problems that are associated
with Statins, including Lipitor:
AMNESIA & STATINS
Can statins cause amnesia? (Yes, Lipitor even lists it on the physician's
insert!)
Dr. Graveline, retired family MD, USAF Flight Surgeon, researcher in space
medicine and US Astronaut, who suffered adverse effects from Lipitor,
maintains several websites and has written on a book about statin-related
memory loss and amnesia, Lipitor, Thief of Memory, at:
www.spacedoc.net (you can start here and read about his life and his books)
http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor_thief_of_memory.html
http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor.htm
http://www.spacedoc.net/statin_dialogues.htm
What are the Liptior warnings and side-effects listed by the manufacturer on
the physicians' information?
For a full introduction to the list, view
http://www.lipitor.com/pi/default.asp . Summary of some of the items on the
website includes Warnings of liver dysfunction, and skeletal muscle
rhabdomyolysis for the physicians information updated as of April 2002.
What are the Lipitor Adverse Events in Placebo-Controlled Studies listed by
Pfizer in the Physician's information?
For a full introduction to the list, view
http://www.lipitor.com/pi/default.asp, the information below is from the
version updated as of April 2002:
Body as a whole: Infection, Headache, Accidental Injury, Flu Syndrome,
Abdominal Pain, Back Pain, Allergic Reaction, Asthenia;
Digestive system: Constipation, Diarrhea, Dyspepsia, Flatulence;
Respiratory system: Sinusitis, Pharyngitis;
Skin and Appendages: Rash;
Musculoskeletal system: Arthralgia, Myalgia.
What are the Lipitor Averse Events reported in patients treated with Lipitor
in clinical trials listed by Pfizer in the Physician's information?
For a full introduction to the list, view
http://www.lipitor.com/pi/default.asp, the information below is from the
version updated as of April 2002:
Body as a Whole: Chest pain, face edema, fever, neck rigidity, malaise,
photosensitivity reaction, generalized edema.
Digestive System: Nausea, gastroenteritis, liver function tests abnormal,
colitis, vomiting, gastritis, dry mouth, rectal hemorrhage, esophagitis,
eructation, glossitis, mouth ulceration, anorexia, increased appetite,
stomatitis, biliary pain, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis,
melena, gum hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, tenesmus, ulcerative stomatitis,
hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholestatic jaundice.
Respiratory System: Bronchitis, rhinitis, pneumonia, dyspnea, asthma,
epistaxis.
Nervous System: Insomnia, dizziness, paresthesia, somnolence, amnesia,
abnormal dreams, libido decreased, emotional lability, incoordination,
peripheral neuropathy, torticollis, facial paralysis, hyperkinesia,
depression, hypesthesia, hypertonia.
Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis, leg cramps, bursitis, tenosynovitis,
myasthenia, tendinous contracture, myositis.
Skin and Appendages: Pruritus, contact dermatitis, alopecia, dry skin,
sweating, acne, urticaria, eczema, seborrhea, skin ulcer.
Urogenital System: Urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, cystitis,
hematuria, impotence, dysuria, kidney calculus, nocturia, epididymitis,
fibrocystic breast, vaginal hemorrhage, albuminuria, breast enlargement,
metrorrhagia, nephritis, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary
urgency, abnormal ejaculation, uterine hemorrhage.
Special Senses: Amblyopia, tinnitus, dry eyes, refraction disorder, eye
hemorrhage, deafness, glaucoma, parosmia, taste loss, taste perversion.
Cardiovascular System: Palpitation, vasodilatation, syncope, migraine,
postural hypotension, phlebitis, arrhythmia, angina pectoris, hypertension.
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders: Peripheral edema, hyperglycemia,
creatine phosphokinase increased, gout, weight gain, hypoglycemia.
Hemic and Lymphatic System: Ecchymosis, anemia, lymphadenopathy,
thrombocytopenia, petechia.
What are the Lipitor Adverse events associated with Lipitor therapy reported
since market introduction, that are not listed above, listed by Pfizer in
the Physician's information?
For a full introduction to the list, view
http://www.lipitor.com/pi/default.asp, the information below is from the
version updated as of April 2002:
anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, bullous rashes (including erythema
multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis), and
rhabdomyolysis.
