AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question Hello, I have had what I believe to be a side effect from taking Darvocet and possibly Percocet or Percodan. I was first prescribed Darvocet approx. 10 years ago the day before having my wisdom teeth removed. The evening I started them, I was intimate with my wife and it took a very very long time to ejaculate. It was quite a chore really. I didn't really put it together with the medication at that time and only took the Darvocet for a couple days.
Approx. 5 years ago I was prescribed Percodan or Percocet, can't remember which, and again while taking them I required very aggressive and much longer sexual activity to ejaculate. I was only on the pills for a short time and never an issue since. I have again been prescribed Darvocet and now it seems to be obvious that this is a side effect. The only sexual side effect listed is a possible decreased sex drive, which if anything is the opposite of my current state. My wife and I enjoy sex although we're not really into marathon sessions on a regular basis!
Is there something consistent between Darvocet and Percocet/Percodan that could be causing this? My doctor sort of blew it off but switched me to Vicodin which I haven't yet had a chance to test in the bedroom, although it doesn't appear to be as effective for my pain. Any thoughts on this and recommend something that might not have this same effect? Thanks!
Answer Dear Alan
Delay in ejaculation is not a generally reported adverse effects of drugs related to morphine but it is a theoretical possibility. One common effect of such drugs is constipation and this is due the action of the drug on the smooth muscle of the gut. Since smooth muscle is very necessary in the ejaculatory process I would think that you are maybe idiosyncratically predisposed to this. I am only guessing but intuitively. If you really need a drug with a morphine like action i would suggest meperidine (pethidine) which has minimal effects on smooth muscle but is not good for long term pain control because of possible cumulative effects. Tramadol is another option.
Without knowing the pain you have I will not suggest other groups of drugs. By the way acetaminophen is now recognized to be excellent for wisdom tooth extraction.
