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Q: xanax for treatment of high blood press or erectile dysfunction ( Answered,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: xanax for treatment of high blood press or erectile dysfunction
Category: Health > Men's Health
Asked by: claudia3180-ga
List Price: $100.00
Posted: 18 Sep 2003 10:40 PDT
Expires: 18 Oct 2003 10:40 PDT
Question ID: 258049
The use of blood pressure medications produces some erectile
dysfunction (ED). However, since xanax reduces anxiety, does lessened
anxiety and stress result in lowering blood pressure? is there
anything in the medical literature or other reports that discuss the
use of xanax (or a smilar drug) in lowering blood pressure and is
there anything related to the use of xanax in helping with the problem
of erectile dysfunction.
Answer  
Subject: Re: xanax for treatment of high blood press or erectile dysfunction
Answered By: synarchy-ga on 20 Sep 2003 20:36 PDT
 
Hi -

Well, you are corect in asserting that Xanax (and other
benzodiazepines, like Valium, Ativan, etc) are good at lowering the
blood pressure of individuals suffering from anxiety.  They are not,
however, good at lowering blood pressure in general and are sedating.

The evidence for Xanax (and related compounds) at decreasing blood
pressure:

This study shows reduced blood pressure in treatment with alprazolam
(Xanax) and lorazepam, and postulates that the effect is due to
decreased sympathetic effects (fight-or-flight, adrenaline mediated -
in this article, referred to as the catecholamine response -
adrenaline is a catecholamine):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8944402&dopt=Abstract

In this study, Xanax showed a reduction of diastolic blood pressure
(the bottom number in blood pressure measurements) while lorazepam did
not affect blood pressure (once more investigating the affect on the
sympathetic nervous system - the adrenaline, or catecholamine,
system):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9700978&dopt=Abstract

Another study showing decreases in blood pressure in anxious patients
treated with Xanax:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2268689&dopt=Abstract

Xanax has not shown to be useful in treatment of hypertension not
associated with anxiety, however.

Xanax is not associated with relief of erectile dysfunction, in fact,
it (along with other benzodiazepines - the category of drug which it
is in) appears to cause erectile dysfunction:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9160580&dopt=Abstract

Another article that shows dysfunction with some benzodiazepines:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2611762&dopt=Abstract

Xanax and other such drugs can be used to reduce performance anxiety
related erecitle dysfunction, but, in general contribute to erectile
dysfunction.  Viagra is an excellent alternative for erectile
dysfunction in individuals with high blood pressure.  Viagra was
initially developed as an anti-hypertensive - while not very good at
this job, it was found that a significant portion of the test
population reported increased erections - thus, it's current use...

Please let me know if you wish further explanation or help (please
provide your current medications and health conditions for more
specific advice).

synarchy

PubMed search:
alprazolam impotence
alprazolam erectile dysfunction
xanax impotence
xanax erectile dysfunction
alprazolam hypertension
xanax hypertension
alprazolom blood pressure
xanax blood pressure
benzodiazepine blood pressure
benzodiazepine hypertension
benzodiazepine erectile dysfunction




Quick disclaimer - while I am a physician, I am not your physician -
adivice given on this site cannot be substituted for a meeting with
your personal physician.
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