Vardenafil
About Vardenafil
This medicine is an oral treatment used to help men who experience erectile dysfunction. It helps you achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity when you are sexually stimulated. By targeting the physical causes of erection difficulties, it allows for a more satisfying sexual experience.
You should take this medicine only when needed, approximately 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. It can be taken with or without food, though eating a high-fat meal may delay how quickly it starts working. Making positive lifestyle changes, such as managing stress and limiting alcohol, can also improve how well this treatment works for you.
While taking this medicine, some people may experience mild side effects like headaches, flushing, or an upset stomach. If you experience any sudden changes in your vision or hearing, or an erection that lasts longer than four hours, you must seek medical attention immediately.
Do not take this if you have severe heart problems, low blood pressure, or a history of a recent stroke or heart attack. It is also not suitable for individuals with severe liver damage or those who have been advised against sexual activity due to cardiovascular risks.
This medicine can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure if taken with nitrate medications used for chest pain. Speak to your doctor if you drink alcohol regularly, as combining it with this medicine can increase the risk of dizziness. Elderly individuals should consult their doctor before starting, as they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Uses of Vardenafil
Medicinal Benefits
Vardenafil helps improve erectile function by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. With regular use as directed, it supports a natural sexual response, improves confidence, and enhances overall sexual well-being.
- Improves Erectile Function: By increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, this medicine helps achieve and maintain an erection suitable for sexual activity.
- Supports a Natural Sexual Response: This medicine works only in the presence of sexual arousal, allowing for a more natural and spontaneous sexual experience.
- Provides Predictable, Short-Acting Relief: With its relatively short duration of action, this medicine offers reliable support for erectile dysfunction while reducing the likelihood of lingering effects the following day.
Directions for Use
- Vardenafil can be taken with or without food. However, avoid taking Vardenafil with heavy or high-fat meals, as they may delay its absorption.
- It is typically taken once a day as needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity, or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Vardenafil as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew, or crush it.
Storage
Side Effects of Vardenafil
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Flushing (warmth or redness in the face, neck, or chest)
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Upset stomach or indigestion
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- An erection that lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism)
- Sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears
- Chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath during sexual activity
- Allergic reactions, such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the packaging carefully before use; do not take the tablet if the blister seal is broken or damaged.
- If you feel dizzy or lightheaded after taking this medicine, avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing tasks that require full alertness.
- Inform any emergency medical staff or healthcare providers you see that you have taken this medicine, especially if you require urgent heart treatment.
- Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms, as it can be dangerous for people with certain underlying health conditions.
Drug Interactions
- Nitrate Medicines: Do not take Vardenafil if you are using nitrate medicines, such as nitroglycerin for chest pain, as this combination can cause a sudden and potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
- Alpha-Blockers: Taking Vardenafil with alpha-blockers prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure can increase the risk of low blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. Your doctor may adjust your dose or advise on the timing of these medicines.
- Certain Antifungal Medicines and Antibiotics: Medicines such as ketoconazole and erythromycin can increase the levels of Vardenafil in your bloodstream, raising the risk of side effects. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose or closer monitoring during treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are advised not to consume alcohol as it might make erectile difficulties worse.
Pregnancy
unsafeVardenafil is not intended for use by women.
Breast Feeding
unsafeVardenafil is not intended for use by women.
Driving
cautionVardenafil may cause dizziness and vision problems. Therefore you are advised to drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease or any concerns regarding this. Avoid taking Vardenafil if you have severe liver problems.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with severe renal impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeVardenafil is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid consuming grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medicine, as it can increase the levels of the medication in your body and make side effects more likely.
- Limit your alcohol intake before taking this medicine, as alcohol can make it harder to get an erection and may increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure.
- Eat light meals before taking the medicine, as heavy or high-fat meals can slow down how quickly your body absorbs the treatment.
- Incorporate regular cardiovascular exercise, like walking or cycling, to support healthy blood circulation throughout your body.
Special Advise
- Do not take Vardenafil more than once in a day. Take Vardenafil only as prescribed by the doctor.
- Talk to your doctor if the erection persists for greater than four hours or if you have a painful erection.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Erectile dysfunction: It is the inability to keep a hard and erect penis suitable for sexual intercourse. It could be a sign of physical or psychological conditions such as fear of sexual failure, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or stress. Certain health-related factors such as smoking, drinking, being overweight, being physically inactive, and high blood pressure also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Symptoms of erectile dysfunction include difficulty in getting an erection, difficulty in maintaining the erection during intercourse and decreased sexual desire.
FAQs
Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction.
Vardenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, thereby allows the blood to flow into the penis when the person is sexually excited.
No, do not take Vardenafil with nitrates. Taking Vardenafil with medicines used to treat angina/chest pain such as nitrates/nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, glyceryl trinitrate, amyl nitrite, or isosorbide mononitrate, may cause severe lowering of blood pressure. You are advised not to take Vardenafil if you are taking nitrates or if you have a history of heart problems.
Vardenafil increases the hypotensive effect of riociguat. Therefore, avoid taking Vardenafil if you are taking riociguat, a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension/high blood pressure in the lungs.
Avoid taking Vardenafil if you have/had hypotension (low blood pressure), stroke, heart attack or heart problems. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
This medicine is intended to be taken only as needed before sexual activity. You should not take it more than once within a 24-hour period. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the safest schedule for your needs.
No, this medicine will not cause an erection without sexual stimulation. It simply helps the natural physical processes in your body work more effectively when you are aroused. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how it works.
Yes, you can take it with or without food. However, taking it with a heavy or high-fat meal may delay how quickly it starts to work. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
It may take a few tries for the medicine to work effectively, as anxiety or timing can play a role. Do not increase your dose without consulting your healthcare provider first. Talk to your doctor if the treatment consistently fails to work.
It is best to limit or avoid alcohol, as drinking can make it harder to achieve an erection and can increase side effects like dizziness and low blood pressure. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about safe alcohol consumption limits.
No, this medicine is only approved for use in adult men experiencing erectile dysfunction and is not indicated for women. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for alternative treatments suitable for women's health concerns.
If you experience an erection that lasts for more than four hours, seek immediate medical attention. This is a rare but serious medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent long-term damage. Talk to your doctor or visit the nearest emergency room.
Author Details
