Can CellCept, Prednisone, and Coversyl Lead to Azoospermia?
Hello, I’m a 38-year-old man with one child. Unfortunately, I received two semen analysis reports last year that indicated azoospermia. For the past three years, I’ve been taking CellCept and prednisone to manage retroperitoneal fibrosis. Additionally, I have been using Coversyl for hypertension for five years. I’m curious if these medications could be the cause of my condition. My physicians have assured me that these drugs are not responsible, yet I am still seeking clarity on this issue. Thank you for your insights.
Answers (1)
8/26/2025, 3:45:45 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s understandable to have concerns about your medications and their possible effects on your reproductive health. Azoospermia, the absence of sperm in semen, can be caused by various factors, and while the medications you're taking can potentially contribute to this condition, it’s important to consider all aspects.
Explanation:
-
CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) is an immunosuppressant often used for conditions like lupus and chronic inflammatory diseases. There is some evidence that it can affect sperm production, although the data may vary.
-
Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is also used to manage inflammation and can have side effects that affect hormone levels, potentially impacting sperm production as well.
-
Coversyl (perindopril), a medication for hypertension, is generally considered to have a minimal direct impact on sperm production, but individual responses can vary based on overall health and other medications.
While your doctors have suggested these medications may not be the cause, the interaction between them and your health condition could be complex.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your health, medications, and any changes you notice in your fertility or overall health. This will provide valuable information for your healthcare providers.
-
Discuss Concerns with Your Doctor: It might be beneficial to revisit your concerns with a urologist specializing in male fertility. They can provide specific insights into how your medications might relate to azoospermia.
-
Consider a Fertility Evaluation: A referral for a fertility assessment can help identify any other underlying issues affecting sperm production. This may include hormonal tests and a more thorough evaluation of your reproductive health.
-
Lifestyle Considerations: Adopt healthy habits such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and limiting alcohol which can all support reproductive health. Avoiding smoking and reducing stress may also be beneficial.
Continue communicating openly with your healthcare team about your concerns and desired outcomes. It's important to take all your questions seriously and work together towards finding the best approach for your health.
Related Questions
Concerns Regarding Skin Changes on Shin
Greetings, I am a 36-year-old male with no current medications or diagnosed health conditions. However, I often find myself anxious about matters concerning my health. Overall, I feel fine. About five weeks ago, I experienced a slight stinging sensation on my right shin while attempting to sleep. Upon inspection, I discovered what looked like a minor scrape, coinciding with the location of the tingling. I didn’t think much of it at the time, assuming it was simply a scratch, although I couldn’t recall any injury to that specific area. When I touched it, it had the texture of a scab. Over the subsequent weeks, I didn’t observe it closely, and it seemed to be healing. However, today, I noticed that the appearance of the area has changed significantly. While it no longer has the characteristics of a scab (the skin now feels smooth), it presents differently. It resembles what I perceive to be petechiae. Unlike typical healing scrapes, which don’t usually leave behind petechiae or bruising, the remnants are in the same spot as the initial mark I saw, displaying what I suspect could be petechiae. I'm concerned that this might indicate an underlying systemic issue. I've scheduled a consultation with my primary care physician, but that isn’t until next week. Due to my worry, I’m reaching out here. I'm considering sharing a photo in the comments. Does anyone have any insights about this condition?
Intermittent Hives Concerns
M22, Height: 5’10, Weight: 170 Greetings, about three to four months back, I began experiencing an intense itchiness on my feet upon waking up one morning. The discomfort persisted throughout the day, worsening as time progressed. To alleviate the sensation, I opted for a hot bath, which provided some relief, albeit temporarily. The following night was troubling; I awoke to find myself drenched in sweat, suffering from mouth sores, and covered in hives on my feet and legs. This episode heightened my concern, especially since I have no known allergies that I'm aware of. Subsequently, I underwent blood tests, and a couple of days later, my clinic informed me of the results: my liver enzyme levels were alarmingly elevated, reaching around 600 when the normal range should be roughly 40, in addition to a deficiency in vitamin D. I then underwent an abdominal ultrasound, which thankfully returned normal results with only a mildly enlarged liver noted. The hives were erratic; one moment they would blanket my arms, legs, and feet, only to vanish an hour later. Notably, they never appeared on my upper body except for my arms, and this unusual skin reaction persisted for approximately two to three weeks. I'm curious to know if anyone else has faced a similar situation or might have insights into what this could be.
Navigating Unexplained Symptoms: Searching for Answers
At 29 years old and weighing 75 kg with a height of 5'6", my current regimen includes a monthly depot injection of 75 mg paliperidone alongside aripiprazole at 5 mg, sertraline at 25 mg, and nortriptyline at 25 mg daily. I do not smoke or consume alcohol and generally follow a lacto-vegetarian diet, with occasional meat. My lab results show normal levels for most metrics, including a B12 concentration of 219 pg/ml, vitamin D at 36.4 ng/ml, but a low serum iron level of 50 mcg/dL. My life was relatively stable until 2016 when everything began to shift. I was engaged in activities such as attending college, studying, enjoying movies, cooking, photography, and reading newspapers and books regularly. However, from 2016 onward, I found myself losing interest in these hobbies and social interactions, gradually feeling as though life's vibrancy was draining away. The emotional highs and lows lost their significance, leaving me in a numb state, devoid of joy or fulfillment. By the conclusion of my academic journey in 2017, I began participating in a fellowship program. After attending three days of orientation in August, I became disillusioned by the low compensation relative to the workload and felt overwhelmed at the thought of committing six months to the program. Consequently, I withdrew and spent the following months at home, diverting my attention to platforms like Quora, Twitter, and other online activities. After four months with no direction for future study or work, my father sought guidance from a friend in academia, the head of pathology at Miraj Medical College. Following this, I was referred to an alternative medicine practitioner who ultimately directed me to a psychiatrist. Throughout this time, spanning from 2017 to 2025, I began developing additional symptoms, including frequent soft stools, a pervasive sense of being lifeless, diminished libido—which started deteriorating around 2016-2017 but grew more pronounced over the following years—and an overwhelming desire for quick, easy sources of gratification. I struggle to engage with serious content, often skimming through reading material and missing important details that don’t align with my immediate focus. There’s also persistent head pressure associated with these experiences, which tends to subside when the symptoms lessen temporarily. What could be the underlying causes of these symptoms, and what treatment options might be available? Is there a possibility that SIBO could be the source of my issues? I have endured these symptoms for approximately eight years. Additionally, could long COVID be influential in this situation? It's worth mentioning that I haven’t suffered from typical illnesses like cold or flu over the past five years since contracting COVID.
Concerns Regarding Hematospermia
For the past two months, I've been experiencing an issue that has led me to undergo various medical tests to confirm that the cause is not linked to sexually transmitted diseases or other infections. It appears that excessive masturbation could have inadvertently caused this situation, particularly following the first noticeable signs of discoloration. In an effort to address the problem, I attempted to take a break, managing to refrain from ejaculation for as long as two weeks, during which I noticed some improvement. However, as a 25-year-old man, resisting the urge for extended periods has proven challenging, and each time I give in, the issue seems to resurface. I have a scheduled appointment with a urologist on October 1st, but with the ongoing nature of this issue, my anxiety continues to grow. I find myself contemplating what additional steps I might take to alleviate this condition.
Is Nighttime Depth Perception Loss Common?
As a 20-year-old male, I've found myself in bed looking at my phone when, out of nowhere, it appears to drastically enlarge. I struggle to judge its distance, which can be quite disorienting. This phenomenon isn’t new to me; it’s something I’ve noticed since childhood. For instance, while gazing at the corner of my room and attempting to reach for it, I often feel a jarring loss of depth perception. This disconnection from reality can be quite unsettling. I’m curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. It seems to be a topic not commonly discussed, and I haven’t been able to locate any information about it online. Could this be something that others encounter as well?