Uses

What is vardenafil used for?

Vardenafil is commonly used for erectile dysfunction, a condition where you have trouble getting or keeping an erection.

Vardenafil may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does vardenafil work (mechanism of action)?

Vardenafil works by blocking an enzyme in the body called PDE5, which helps relax certain blood vessels. This increases blood flow to the penis when aroused, making it easier to get and keep an erection.

How is vardenafil supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Staxyn
  • Levitra 

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets

How should I store vardenafil?

Vardenafil should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Do not remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the blister pack until ready to take it. Do not take if the blister pack is damaged or missing.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of vardenafil?

The most common side effects of vardenafil are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the form of vardenafil prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of vardenafil that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of vardenafil?

While less common, the most serious side effects of vardenafil are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Vardenafil may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking vardenafil and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Painful, Prolonged Erection (Priapism). Vardenafil may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and that may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking vardenafil and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.

  • Erection lasting for more than four hours
  • Erection that is unrelated to sexual stimulation
  • Painful or tender penis

Vision Changes. Vardenafil can cause mild, temporary vision changes such as seeing a blue tint, abnormal colors, blurry vision, or sensitivity to light. Though rare, some people have reported permanent vision loss. Stop taking vardenafil and get help right away if you have sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.

Hearing Loss. Sudden hearing loss has been reported after taking vardenafil. This may occur along with dizziness and ringing in the ears. Stop taking vardenafil and get help right away if you have sudden hearing loss or suddenly have trouble hearing as well as usual.

Heart Rhythm Changes. Vardenafil may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation. Some people may have a higher risk of this, including people born with long QT syndrome and those taking certain medicines for heart rhythm problems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Vardenafil may cause a mild and temporary drop in blood pressure. You may be at a higher risk if you have certain health conditions or take blood pressure medicines. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • Feeling weak or tired
  • Fainting
  • Confusion

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not take vardenafil?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take vardenafil.

  • Vardenafil
  • Levitra
  • Staxyn
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific vardenafil products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Vardenafil should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking vardenafil, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about vardenafil before taking it?

Do not take vardenafil unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share vardenafil with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep vardenafil out of the reach of children.

Do not chew, cut, or crush vardenafil orally disintegrating tablets.

Sexual activity can put extra strain on your heart, which may be unsafe for people with certain health problems, such as a recent heart attack. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if your heart is strong enough for sex. If you feel chest pain, dizziness, or nausea during sex, stop and contact your healthcare provider right away.

Vardenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Vardenafil belongs to a group of medicines, known as phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension. You should not take more than one PDE-5 inhibitor medicine. Medicines in this group include avanafil (Stendra), sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio, and others), tadalafil (Cialis and others), and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking vardenafil?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if vardenafil is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Phenylketonuria (PKU). Phenylalanine is found in vardenafil oral tablets and vardenafil orally disintegrating tablets. This substance can be harmful to people with PKU. Tell your healthcare provider if you have PKU. They can suggest a different treatment option for you.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems, such as heart rhythm problems, chest pain, or heart failure
  • Heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery within the past six months
  • Low blood pressure
  • High blood pressure that is still too high despite taking medicines for it
  • Peyronie's disease, or a penis with an abnormal curve or shape 
  • An erection lasting longer than four hours
  • A blood disorder, such as sickle cell anemia
  • An inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa
  • Vision loss, or a problem with the nerve between your eyes and brain (optic nerve)
  • Health conditions or factors that raise the risk of optic nerve problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, being older than 50, or having a “crowded disc,” which is something an eye doctor may see during an eye exam
  • Hearing problems
  • Bleeding problems
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Liver problems
  • Kidney dialysis
  • Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease, a condition where blood vessels in the lungs are blocked

Pregnancy. People who can become pregnant are not usually prescribed vardenafil. It is not known if or how vardenafil could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed vardenafil. It is not known if vardenafil passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does vardenafil interact with foods or drinks?

Avoid grapefruit while taking vardenafil. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice can raise vardenafil levels in your body, which can increase the risk of side effects.

Vardenafil orally disintegrating tablets should not be taken with water or liquids. Let it dissolve on your tongue without crushing it.

There are no known interactions between vardenafil and alcohol.

Does vardenafil interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking vardenafil.

  • A nitrate, such as nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, and others) or isosorbide, which is a medicine used for chest pain caused by a type of heart disease, or a street drug, such as amyl nitrite (“poppers”)
  • A guanylate cyclase stimulator, such as riociguat (Adempas) or vericiguat (Verquvo), which is a medicine used for certain lung or heart conditions
  • An alpha-blocker, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), dutasteride, prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin), which is a medicine that may be used for high blood pressure or difficulty peeing due to an enlarged prostate
  • A blood pressure medicine
  • A protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir (Norvir) or atazanavir (Reyataz), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
  • A medicine used for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
  • Erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others) or clarithromycin (Biaxin), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections 
  • Cobicistat (Tybost), which is a medicine commonly used to help treat HIV
  • A medicine used for heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone (Pacerone and others), procainamide, quinidine, or sotalol (Betapace)
  • Any other treatment used for erectile dysfunction

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of vardenafil, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with vardenafil. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does Vardenafil interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much vardenafil?

If you or someone else has taken too much vardenafil, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of vardenafil?

Vardenafil is taken only when needed. Take it as your healthcare provider recommends, which is usually about one hour before planned sexual activity. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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