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Antihypertensive drug‐associated sexual dysfunction: a prescription analysis‐based study
Author(s) -
Jassim Al Khaja K. A.,
Sequeira R. P.,
Al Damanhori A. H. H.,
Mathur V. S.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.023
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1099-1557
pISSN - 1053-8569
DOI - 10.1002/pds.814
Subject(s) - medicine , atenolol , diabetes mellitus , medical prescription , diuretic , thiazide , calcium channel blocker , ace inhibitor , drug , angiotensin converting enzyme , endocrinology , pharmacology , blood pressure
Abstract Purpose To determine whether primary care physicians take into consideration age, gender and diabetes mellitus as risk factors for sexual dysfunction (SD) when prescribing antihypertensives. Methods A prescribing survey on hyperternsive patients with or without diabetes mellitus in primary care setting of Bahrain was carried out. Results In 5301 hypertensive patients, we found that a β‐blocker (atenolol) was the most commonly prescribed drug and was significantly more often prescribed for young male hypertensives (<45 years). A relatively high dose of atenolol (100 mg/d) was extensively used as both mono‐ and combination‐therapies. With the exception of middle‐aged hypertensives (45–64 years) and elderly diabetic‐hypertensives (≥65 years), no significant age‐ and gender‐related differences were observed regarding the prescription of thiazide diuretics. A significant trend of prescribing methyldopa in females as monotherapy was evident. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, the second most commonly prescribed drugs, were significantly more often prescribed for young, middle‐aged hypertensive males and for middle‐aged diabetic‐hypertensive males. β‐blocker/diuretic combination was prescribed least for the young and elderly hypertensive males. However, prescription of an ACE inhibitor with either a diuretic or a calcium channel blocker (CCBs) was less frequent and lacked gender‐related differences. Conclusions We infer that antihypertensive‐induced SD received little attention as was evident from: (a) over‐prescription of relatively high dose of β‐blockers to young hypertensive males; (b) lack of gender‐ and age‐related difference regarding the type and dose of diuretics prescribed; (c) underutilisation of effective and complementary combinations expected to cause least impact on sexual function, such as ACE inhibitors with either a diuretic or with a CCB; and (d) a relative lack of discrimination while selecting antihypertensive drugs, particularly as monotherapy between hypertensive versus diabetic‐hypertensive patients. With the exception of ACE inhibitors alone and combination of diuretic/β‐blocker, the choice of antihypertensives did not conform to international guidelines. In view of drug‐induced SD adversely influencing the quality of life and thereby drug‐compliance, interventions aimed at improving physicians' awareness should be attempted. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.