Vardenafil
Description
Vardenafil is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men, a condition that causes difficulty in having an erection during sexual intercourse. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis and thereby causing an erection.
Vardenafil may cause side effects such as dizziness, indigestion, headache, sleepiness, skin rash, dry mouth, prolonged erections, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen.
Vardenafil should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Take this medicine one hour before sexual activity.
Vardenafil should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have a history of seizures or pre-existing heart, kidney, liver, eye or ear problems before beginning treatment with this medicine. It is not recommended for use in women and children below 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Vardenafil
- Dizziness
- Indigestion
- Flushing (reddening of the skin)
- Blocked or runny nose
- Headache
- Swelling of face, lips, or throat
- Sleepiness
- Eye pain and discomfort
- Ringing in ears
- Fast heartbeat
- Breathlessness
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dry mouth
- Skin rash
- Prolonged erections
Uses of Vardenafil
What is it prescribed for?
- Erectile Dysfunction
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionVardenafil begins to show its effect within ten minutes after intake.
- Duration of effectVardenafil remains effective for an approximate duration of 24 hours after intake.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Vardenafil may increase your risk of low blood pressure. It may also increase your risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, headache, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies have been reported with Vardenafil.
- Usage in pregnancy?Vardenafil is not recommended for use in women.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Vardenafil is not recommended for use in women.
Allergy
Avoid Vardenafil if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Riociguat
Riociguat is a medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (high blood pressure in your lungs) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in your lungs due to the presence of blood clots). Concurrent use of Vardenafil and Riociguat is not recommended due to the increased risk of low blood pressure.
Nitrate containing medicines
Vardenafil is not recommended if you are taking medicines containing nitrates, such as glycerol trinitrate or amyl nitrite for angina (chest pain), as concurrent use of these medicines could seriously affect your blood pressure and worsen your condition.
Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a condition resulting in loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve from the insufficient blood supply. Vardenafil may affect your vision and is not recommended if you have lost vision in one eye due to NAION due to the increased risk of vision loss in the other eye.
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare, genetic problem that damages the retina (light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of your eye). This may result in difficulty seeing at night and a loss of side vision. Vardenafil may affect your vision and is not recommended if you have retinitis pigmentosa due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Hypotension
Vardenafil may cause low blood pressure and is not recommended if you have a history of hypotension (low blood pressure) due to the increased risk of a severe drop in your blood pressure.
Heart diseases
Vardenafil is not recommended if you have recently had a stroke (damage to your brain resulting from reduced/blocked blood supply) or heart attack due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Severe kidney impairment
Kidney impairment is a condition with a loss of kidney function. Vardenafil is not recommended if you have severe kidney impairment requiring dialysis (a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from your blood when your kidneys fail to function).
Severe liver impairment
Liver impairment is a condition with a loss of liver function. Vardenafil is metabolized and broken down by the liver and is not recommended if you have severe liver impairment due to the increased risk of undesired side effects, resulting from the accumulation of this medicine in your body.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Vardenafil is not recommended for use in women.
Breast-feeding
Vardenafil is not recommended for use in women.
General warnings
Other medicines
Vardenafil may interact with other medicines and cause undesired side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Driving or Operating machines
Vardenafil may cause dizziness and sleepiness. If you experience any symptoms that may affect your mental alertness, do not drive vehicles or operate machines.
Use in children
Vardenafil is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy studies.
Missed Dose
Try not to skip a dose of Vardenafil. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor if you suspect an overdose with Vardenafil.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Vardenafil may increase your risk of low blood pressure. It may also increase your risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, headache, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Antihypertensives
Indinavir
Procainamide
Efavirenz
Itraconazole
Amiodarone
Quinidine
Ritonavir
Ketoconazole
Clarithromycin
Disease interactions
Heart Disease
Vardenafil should be used with caution if you have pre-existing heart problems due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Priapism
Priapism is a condition that causes a persistent and painful erection without sexual stimulation that lasts for four hours or more. Vardenafil may increase your risk of priapism. Inform your doctor if you experience a painful erection while on treatment with this medicine.
Kidney Disease
Vardenafil is eliminated by kidneys and should be used with caution if you have pre-existing kidney problems (mild to moderate) due to the increased risk of side effects, resulting from the accumulation of this medicine in your body. Your kidney function needs to be closely monitored and dose adjustments may be required based on your clinical condition.
QT Prolongation
QT Prolongation is a condition that causes an irregular heart rhythm. Vardenafil causes QT interval prolongation and should be used with caution due to the increased risk of worsening your condition.
Hearing loss
Vardenafil may increase your risk of hearing problems, often associated with tinnitus (ringing sensation in your ears) or dizziness. Inform your doctor if you experience such symptoms while on treatment with this medicine.
Seizures
Vardenafil should be used with caution if you have a history of seizures (fits) due to the increased risk of a seizure attack.
Food interactions
Grapefruit juice may increase the absorption and effectiveness of Vardenafil. This may enhance the severity of Vardenafil related side effects. Hence it is recommended to avoid consumption of grapefruit juice while on treatment with this medicine.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Vardenafil with or without food. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Avoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Vardenafil as it may cause low blood pressure.
Do not drive vehicles or operate machines if you experience any symptoms that may affect your alertness after taking Vardenafil.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Vardenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis and thereby causes an erection during sexual intercourse.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Impotence agents, Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Vardenafil 20 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 December 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 December 2021].
Rad-ar.or.jp. 2021. Search results detail| Kusurino-Shiori(Drug information Sheet). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Vardenafil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 21 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Dec 2021
Disclaimer
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