Table 1 Medications and their respective effects on both male and female reproductive function
From: Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility
Medication | Effect on reproductive function |
|---|---|
Anabolic Steroids | Impairment of spermatogenesis (up to one year recovery); may cause hypogonadism through pituitary–gonadal axis |
Reversible | |
Antiandrogens: | Impairment of spermatogenesis; erectile dysfunction |
Cyproterone acetate, danazol, finasteride, ketoconazole, spironolactone | Reversible |
Antibiotics: | Impairment of spermatogenesis |
Ampicillin, cephalotin, cotrimoxazole, gentamycin, neomycin, nitrofurantoin, Penicillin G, spiramycin | Reversible |
Antibiotics: | Impairment of sperm motility |
Cotrimoxazole, dicloxacillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, neomycin, nitrofurantoin, quinolones, tetracycline, tylosin | |
Reversible | |
Antiepiletics: | Impairment of sperm motility |
Phenytoin | Reversible |
Antihypertensives: | Fertilization failure |
Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine) | |
Antihypertensives: | Erectile dysfunction |
Alpha agonists (clonidine), alpha blockers (prazocin), beta blockers, hydralazine, methyldopa, thiazide diuretics | |
Anti-inflammatory 5-ASA and derivatives: | Impairment of spermatogenesis and sperm motility |
Mesalazine, sulfasalazine | Reversible |
Antimalarials: | Impairment of sperm motility |
Quinine and its derivatives | Reversible |
Antimetabolites ⁄ Antimitotics: | Arrest of spermatogenesis; azoospermia |
Irreversible | |
Colchicines, cyclophosphamide | |
Anti-oestrogens | Impairment of endometrial development |
Clomiphene citrate | reversible |
Anti-progestins: | Impairment of both implantation and tubal function |
Emergency contraceptive pills, progesterone-only pills | |
Antipsychotics: | Increase prolactin concentrations that can lead to sexual dysfunction |
Alpha blockers, phenothiazine, antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) | |
Antipsychotics: | Impairment of spermatogenesis and sperm motility |
Butyrophenones | Reversible |
Antischistozomal: | Impairment of spermatogenesis and sperm motility |
Niridazole | Reversible |
Corticosteroids | Impairment of sperm concentration and motility |
Reversible | |
Exogenous testosterone, GnRH analogues | Impairment of spermatogenesis |
Reversible | |
H2 blockers: | Increase prolactin concentrations that can lead to impairment of luteal function, loss of libido, and erectile dysfunction |
Cimetidine, ranitidine | |
Local anaesthetics, halothane | Impair sperm motility |
Metoclopramide | Erectile dysfunction |
Methadone | Suppress spermatogenesis and sperm motility |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Cox-2 inhibitors | Impairment of follicle rupture, ovulation, and tubal function |
Reversible |