Urology
Medicines for Erectile dysfunction
Difficulty getting or keeping an erection firm enough for satisfactory sex — common, often treatable, and sometimes an early sign of an underlying condition worth investigating.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the persistent difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity. An occasional problem is normal; a regular one that causes distress is worth addressing.
- How it is treated: Treatment starts by identifying and addressing the underlying causes — tackling cardiovascular risk factors, reviewing medicines that may contribute, and supporting any psychological or relationship factors, with the option of talking therapy.
- Self-care: Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol, regular physical activity, losing excess weight and managing stress all improve erectile function and overall vascular health.
- When to seek help: ED can be an early warning of heart or circulation problems, so it is worth seeing your GP rather than ignoring it — especially if it is persistent or comes with chest pain or breathlessness on exertion.
What it is
Erectile dysfunction is the persistent difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection sufficient for satisfying sexual activity. An occasional problem is normal; a regular one that causes distress is worth addressing. An erection depends on healthy blood vessels, nerves, hormones and psychological wellbeing, so the causes are varied: physical factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and the narrowing of blood vessels; psychological factors such as anxiety, stress and relationship issues; and the effects of some medicines, smoking and alcohol. Importantly, because erections rely on good blood flow, ED can be an early marker of cardiovascular disease or diabetes — sometimes appearing before other symptoms. For that reason, assessment is not only about the symptom itself but also a chance to check blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and lifestyle.
How it is treated
Treatment starts by identifying and addressing the underlying causes — tackling cardiovascular risk factors, reviewing medicines that may contribute, and supporting any psychological or relationship factors, with the option of talking therapy. Tablets that improve blood flow to the penis are the usual first-line medical treatment and can be taken either as needed before sex or, in some cases, regularly. Where blood tests confirm a genuine testosterone deficiency, replacing testosterone may help, but this is only appropriate when a true deficiency is proven, not as a general treatment for ED. Other options exist for men who cannot use or do not respond to tablets, arranged through specialist services.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Erectile dysfunction
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
By active ingredient
Specific medicines used for Erectile dysfunction
Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in erectile dysfunction — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Stopping smoking, reducing alcohol, regular physical activity, losing excess weight and managing stress all improve erectile function and overall vascular health. Because ED and heart health are linked, these measures benefit far more than the symptom alone.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
ED can be an early warning of heart or circulation problems, so it is worth seeing your GP rather than ignoring it — especially if it is persistent or comes with chest pain or breathlessness on exertion. A prolonged, painful erection lasting more than a few hours needs urgent medical help.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Erectile dysfunction: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for erectile dysfunction?
The usual first-line treatment is a PDE5 inhibitor tablet, such as sildenafil or tadalafil, which improves blood flow to the penis and can be taken as needed or regularly. Testosterone replacement is used only where a blood test confirms a genuine testosterone deficiency. The right approach depends on the cause and your overall health.
Can I take ED tablets with my heart medicines?
PDE5 inhibitors must never be combined with nitrates (medicines for angina, such as GTN) because together they can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. They also need care with some other blood-pressure medicines. Always tell your prescriber what you take so the combination can be checked.
Is erectile dysfunction a sign of something more serious?
It can be. Because erections depend on healthy blood vessels, ED is sometimes an early sign of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, appearing before other symptoms. That is why it is worth getting assessed — it is a chance to check your blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.
Is the cause physical or psychological?
Often it is a mix of both. Physical factors such as diabetes, vascular disease and certain medicines are common, while anxiety, stress and relationship issues also play a part. Assessment looks at both, and treatment may combine lifestyle changes, medication and psychological support.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Erectile dysfunction.
- NICE CKS: Erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Related conditions
Browse by body system
Building a patient-information or formulary resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free clinical references and decision aids for teams.