This drug has box warnings. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Box warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

  • Taking benzodiazepines with opioid drugs increases your risk for severe sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and even death. Xanax shouldn’t be taken with an opioid unless there are no other available treatment options.
  • Using benzodiazepines, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
  • Taking this drug can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of Xanax increases your risk of overdose and death.
  • Only take this drug as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about safely taking this drug.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when you have trouble getting an erection or holding it long enough to have sex. Xanax, like certain other medications, may cause ED.

Xanax is a type of prescription drug called a benzodiazepine, and it can affect your brain and your body. Both are involved in sexual performance ability.

Read on to learn more about the connection between ED and Xanax.

One of the most common reasons for ED is poor blood flow to the penis, but medications such as Xanax can affect your sex drive and also cause ED. While there have not been enough studies to show exactly how Xanax leads to ED, we do know that there’s a connection.

Xanax is mainly used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It can also be used to treat anxiety associated with depression, certain sleep disorders, and alcohol withdrawal. This is because Xanax is a depressant, which means it slows down your central nervous system (CNS).

It affects chemicals called neurotransmitters that send messages between cells in your brain. CNS suppression also affects nerve impulses throughout your body.

Because Xanax depresses your CNS, it can lower your libido, or sex drive. Decreased libido can make it difficult for you to get an erection.

Xanax may not be the only factor contributing to ED in this specific situation. If you take Xanax to treat anxiety or depression, that condition could be causing your ED instead.

The relationship between anxiety and depression and ED is complex. Anxiety and depression can cause ED even if you do not take Xanax or any other medication. And the opposite is also true: Having ED may make depression or anxiety worse. To learn more, read about stress, anxiety, and erectile dysfunction.

This complex relationship is why it’s important to work with your doctor to find exactly what’s causing your ED. It helps to find out which came first — your ED or your anxiety or depression.

If you had ED before taking Xanax and you’re taking the drug to treat anxiety or depression, you might want to give it some time. Anxiety or depression may be causing sexual issues, so Xanax may actually help resolve the ED.

But if you did not have ED before taking Xanax, the drug may or may not be the cause. Getting and keeping an erection depends on many systems in your body. Your hormonal system, vascular system, and CNS each play a crucial role. A problem with any one of them can interfere with an erection.

Because erections are so complex, it’s important to have an accurate assessment of the problem so you can get treatment for your specific needs. Your first step should be to talk with your doctor.

Determining the cause of your ED can be a process. Besides Xanax and mental health conditions, many other factors can also cause ED. Often, ED involves a combination of factors. These can include:

Other medications

Several types of other drugs can cause ED, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Make sure that your doctor knows about all the medications you currently take. That information can help them decide if one of your other medications is the culprit.

Age

If you’re an older adult, your body may process drugs more slowly than it did when you were younger. If this is the case, the Xanax levels in your body could be higher than expected. Higher levels of Xanax could increase CNS depression, which might lead to ED.

Health conditions

Besides anxiety and depression, other health conditions that can cause ED include:

Lifestyle factors

Your daily habits and lifestyle can also affect your sexual function. Factors that can cause erectile problems include:

Your doctor can help you figure out if your ED is related to Xanax or if it’s caused by something else. Once your doctor finds the true cause of your ED, you can work together to create a treatment plan. For this plan, your doctor may suggest the following options:

Watch and wait: If Xanax is causing your ED, it’s possible that your symptoms will ease up as your body adjusts to the new medication. Your doctor may suggest waiting a bit to see if the ED goes away on its own.

Dosage adjustment: If your doctor decides that Xanax is the problem, they may adjust your dosage. Lowering your dosage might resolve the problem. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Medication change: If neither of the above options works, your doctor may recommend a different medication for your anxiety, depression, or sleep disorder. To learn more, read about the different drugs for anxiety.

ED medication: If switching from Xanax to another medication does not work, another option is medication to treat the ED itself. Several different drugs are available that can help relieve this condition.

Take your own actions

As your treatment plan takes effect, you can take steps to relieve other factors that might be contributing to your ED. For instance:

  • Try stress reduction techniques.
  • If you smoke, talk with your doctor about cessation programs — and other supportive resources — to help you stop.
  • Add activities or exercise to your day if you can and as often as possible.
  • Follow a balanced and nutrient-dense diet.
  • Skip the alcohol.
  • Aim for a full night’s sleep by identifying and addressing any concerns that might be affecting your sleep patterns. For example, if you have sleep apnea, consider using a CPAP machine.

Taking Xanax is connected to erectile dysfunction, but several other factors may be at play as well. Your doctor can help in finding a solution to your ED problem. During your visit, be sure to ask any questions you have, which may include:

  • Do you think Xanax or another medication is causing my ED?
  • If Xanax is causing my ED, how long will the ED last?
  • Are there other anxiety medications I can take that will not cause ED?
  • What medications or procedures are available to treat my ED?
  • What lifestyle changes would you suggest to help relieve my ED problem?