WebMD Ask the Pharmacist

Men's Health Issues: Ask the Pharmacist

Pharmacist Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, answers questions about men's health issues.

Question:

Is it OK to take propranolol (beta-blocker) while on testosterone replacement therapy?

Answer:

Yes. It is safe to use propranolol while using testosterone. There are no dangerous drug interactions to worry about. You should always check with your pharmacist if you are concerned about drug interactions. If you always use just one pharmacy to fill all of your prescriptions, your pharmacist will have all the information necessary to take the best care of you.

Question:

How long after taking Uroxatral can you have sex?

Answer:

While Uroxatral can have sexual side effects -- like decreasing your ability to achieve an erection --there are no special instructions to avoid sex while taking Uroxatral. You should check with your doctor if you have been told to avoid sexual activity for some reason.

Question:

What is the shelf life of Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra?

Answer:

Prescription medications all come stamped with an expiration date from the manufacturer when we receive the medications in the pharmacy. But they really only apply when the medication is stored under perfect conditions. In general, prescription medications, once taken out of the pharmacy and stored in someone’s home, are good for one year from the date they were filled. If you want more specific information, you need to talk to the pharmacist who filled your prescription since this is only a guideline.

Question:

I am currently taking 10mg of Prozac. I am not experiencing any sexual side effects on 10 mg. I am supposed to go up to 20mg. Does my chance of experiencing sexual side effects increase that greatly if I move up to 20mg?

Answer:

Not necessarily. While it is possible to experience more side effects with higher doses, not everyone does. The only way to know is to try the medication at the higher dose and see how you react.

Question:

My husband has been tested for low testosterone levels. We are wondering if there are any OTC meds out there to help with this.

Answer:

No. If it has been determined that your husband needs testosterone replacement therapy, only prescription forms are considered safe and effective and are approved by the FDA.

Question:

My husband thinks he is depressed and I believe he is, as well. He drinks beer on a daily basis. Are there any antidepressants he can take and still drink beer? I have talked with him about not drinking but he does not want to quit.

Answer:

It depends on how much beer your husband drinks. Some antidepressants can make people drowsy, and it is suggested that you not combine these with alcohol. However, everyone responds differently. It is usually safe to have one drink while taking most of the antidepressants. But if your husband drinks a lot of beer, he really should talk to his doctor.

If you suspect your husband has a drinking problem, you should seek help for him. Drinking a lot of alcohol can be a sign of depression, or make depression worse. Once he gets his depression symptoms treated, he may not want to drink as much. This is a very complex issue and you really need to get the help of a health care professional who can treat the situation.

Question:

Is there a generic drug for erectile dysfunction?

Answer:

The three most common medications for erectile dysfunction are Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. There are currently no generic versions of any of them.

Question:

My husband has begun taking Effient. I know that it is a blood thinner and was wondering if, like with Coumadin, he needs to limit the amount of leafy greens he eats. There was no mention of this on the drug information sheet.

Answer:

No. Effient does not work by inhibiting vitamin K. So there is no reason to change your diet when taking it.

Question:

What is the best and healthiest OTC pain relief for men of age 45?

Answer:

It depends on many things. I suggest you talk to your pharmacist, who can ask you all the necessary questions to help you determine which OTC pain reliever is best for you.

Question:

I recently started using AndroGel 5mg packets. I have also recently restarted taking allopurinol to control my uric acid. Are there any interactions I should be aware of?

Answer:

No. There are no dangerous drug interactions to be aware of. The two medications can be safely used together.

Question:

Can simvastatin and metformin affect a man's fertility? My husband is currently taking both and has been for approximately 2 years. We are trying to get pregnant without any success.

Answer:

There is no significant evidence that either of those medications can affect a man's fertility. I suggest you talk to your doctor, who can help determine if anything you or your husband is doing is negatively affecting your fertility.

Question:

My boyfriend has been taking Effexor XR for 10 years or more for depression. I've noticed he has very bad short-term memory loss. So much so that it has been noticeable to our guests. Would this medication have a connection with his memory loss and should I tell his doctor?

Answer:

Anytime you notice something different, you should tell the doctor. It is unlikely that the memory loss is associated with the medication. But it is something that should be discussed with his physician.

Question:

I am a 20-year-old male. What sort of multivitamin or mineral tablet is good for men my age?

Answer:

Any generic or store-brand multivitamin tablet would be sufficient to ensure you are getting your recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals. There are various brand names available, but I usually recommend the generic versions to save money. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on a vitamin supplement. Ask your pharmacist to recommend one for you.

Question:

My husband was put on potassium chloride about a month ago. Since then he has been getting charley horses in his feet, legs, and trigger fingers. Can you tell us if this is a side effect?

Answer:

Muscle cramps and charley horses are usually symptoms of not having enough potassium or other minerals in your bloodstream. They are not usually a side effect of potassium supplements. You should discuss this with his doctor. He may not be on a high enough dose, or he may need a different type of supplement.

Question:

Can erectile dysfunction drugs, such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, be used by someone taking blood pressure medications, namely atenolol and Diovan?

Answer:

Yes, as long as your doctor has determined it is safe for you to engage in sexual activity.

Question:

My husband took a 25mg Imitrex for a really bad headache over 3 hours ago. Can he also take Vicodin?

Answer:

Yes. It is OK to take a Vicodin if you have taken an Imitrex. There are no significant drug interactions. Whenever you have a question like this, it is best to contact your pharmacist, who knows your complete medical history and all the medications you take -- and can help you best.

Question:

My father takes 160 mg of Diovan and 100mg of metoprolol. Is this too much blood pressure medication to be taking on a daily basis? What kind of interaction is there, if any, between these drugs?

Answer:

There are no significant interactions to be concerned about, and there is no overdose here. Many people require several medications to get their blood pressure under control – it is very common. The important thing is to get his blood pressure to where it needs to be, usually less than 140/90, to lower his chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

Question:

My grandfather was prescribed 1 mg of folic acid and has recently run out of the prescription. I have folic acid that I purchased over the counter, but it's 400 mcg. How do I convert that to 1 mg or is it the same?

Answer:

It is the same ingredient. But if he was prescribed the folic acid for a specific condition, he should only substitute it under the care of his health care professional. It is important that his health care professional know about it.

Question:

My husband is taking Robaxin. Can he take ibuprofen with it for pain?

Answer:

Robaxin is a muscle relaxer and it can be taken with ibuprofen to relieve pain. There are no significant interactions.

Question:

My husband takes glimeperide 4mg TAB INT for diabetes. The prescription I brought home is labeled glimepiride 4mg TAB TEVA USA. Are these the same pills?

Answer:

Yes, they are. Both contain glimeperide in the same strength. The only difference is who made them. They have different manufacturers, but they will work the exact same way.

Question:

My 18-year-old son works out regularly and takes in about 60g of protein in drink form a day. He wants to take a health plus liver cleanser because of the amount of protein he drinks. Is there any issue with taking 60g of protein? Does he need a liver cleanser and if so, is the liver cleanser safe?

Answer:

As a pharmacist, I do not recommend supplements touted as "cleansers". They have not been proven to be safe or effective and are not necessary. As far as the protein goes, it depends on how much he weighs and how much protein he is eating on top of what he's drinking.

Question:

Is there something over the counter for low testosterone?

Answer:

No. There is not. If someone needs testosterone replacement for low levels, only the prescription versions have been proven to be safe and effective.

Question:

My husband started taking Niaspan 2 weeks ago and has had gout issues in the past. Does Niaspan flare gout?

Answer:

Yes. Niaspan can cause a gout flare. You should talk to your doctor. Niaspan may not be the best medication for someone who is prone to gout.

Question:

Is it safe for a man to handle his wife's fertility medicine?

Answer:

Yes. It is safe if handled correctly.

Question:

My husband recently started taking a daily AM dose of glimepiride 1mg, fenofibrate 160mg, and Zetia 10mg. He has started to have problems with ED. Is erectile dysfunction a side effect of any of these medications? He has been taking Dyazide 37.5/25 mg caps and atenolol 50mg for two years without any side effects.

Answer:

Erectile dysfunction is a symptom of the conditions these medications treat. Diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure are all associated with erectile dysfunction if not controlled properly. If it is a new symptom, you should definitely talk to the doctor about it, as it could be a warning sign of other medical conditions. Of all of your husband's medications, the atenolol would be most likely to cause ED.

Question:

What kinds of medications affect sperm counts? My boyfriend is taking lisinopril, metformin, tramadol, naproxen, hydrochlorothiazide, ferrous sulfate, diltiazem hcl, and furosemide.

Answer:

If your boyfriend is concerned about how his medications affect his sperm counts, he should really talk with his health care professional. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, using illicit drugs, and being over- or under-weight can all adversely affect male fertility, as well.

Question:

I was wondering if they make an over-the-counter medicine for enlarged prostate treatment with the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. My father is in need of something and cannot afford anything too expensive or see a doctor.

Answer:

If your father is having prostate problems, it is very important that he see a health care professional for an examination and evaluation. There are no over-the-counter treatments for prostate problems. While there are supplements that are marketed for prostate health, none of them are approved by the FDA or recognized to be safe and effective if someone is not properly diagnosed.

I suggest you look for a free health clinic for your father so he can receive a proper examination. Check out this website: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/GoogleSearch_HCC.aspx. It may help you find a place to take your dad.

Question:

What is the recommended dosage for CoQ10 - 100mg, 200mg or 300mg? What are the drawbacks of taking higher dosages, if any?

Answer:

The most common dosage range for CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) as a supplement is anywhere from 30mg to 200mg daily. It would depend on what you are using the CoQ10 for, as it has many advertised uses. It is not recommended to exceed the recommended dosages of supplements as they have very limited information available for them. If you are considering taking a CoQ10 supplement, you should talk to your health care professional, who can help you determine if it is right for you.

Question:

Are there any problems with taking Tylenol and Cialis at the same time?

Answer:

No. Those two medications can be taken together without interaction.

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