Overview

Active ingredient: vardenafil

Typical strengths available: 10 mg and 20 mg tablets in the U.S. market (other strengths may exist depending on manufacturer).

Primary use: treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult men.

Vardenafil helps increase blood flow to the penis when sexually stimulated, improving the ability to get and keep an erection. Onset is usually within 25-60 minutes. Some users find its onset more rapid than sildenafil, and visual color-tinge side effects may be less common than with sildenafil.

Related topic: if you are specifically looking for potential effects in athletics or altitude exposure, see the sports note. PDE5 inhibitors are not intended to enhance athletic performance.

Before You Start

Tell your prescriber about all of your medical conditions and medicines. This helps prevent problems from drug interactions and unsafe dosing.

Medical history to share

  • History of stroke or transient ischemic attack
  • Peyronie disease, penile curvature, or an erection lasting over 4 hours in the past
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Heart disease, recent heart attack, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or abnormal blood pressure
  • Bleeding disorders or active ulcers in the stomach or intestines
  • HIV infection or use of HIV medicines
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Frequent heartburn or GERD
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Any eye or vision problems, including sudden vision loss in the past
  • Allergies to vardenafil or any medicine ingredients, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • History of seizures
  • Any cancer under treatment

How To Use Levitra

Take vardenafil by mouth with water. It may be taken with or without food. Most people take a single dose about 60 minutes before sexual activity; sexual stimulation is required for it to work.

  • Do not exceed the dose prescribed for you.
  • Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period unless specifically told by your clinician.
  • Swallow tablets whole; do not double up if you think you missed a dose.

Missed dose: not applicable for as-needed use. Avoid extra doses. Overdose: if you may have taken too much, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) or seek emergency care right away.

Do not share your prescription with anyone else.

Important Drug and Food Interactions

Never combine vardenafil with nitrates. This can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

Absolutely do not use with

  • Nitroglycerin in any form (tablets, sprays, patches, ointments)
  • Isosorbide mononitrate or isosorbide dinitrate
  • Amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite "poppers" and similar recreational products
  • Cisapride

Medicines and substances that can interact

  • Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors for infections or fungi: clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, voriconazole
  • Alpha-blockers for prostate or blood pressure: tamsulosin, doxazosin, terazosin, prazosin, alfuzosin
  • Medicines for heart rhythm: amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine, procainamide, flecainide, propafenone, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide
  • CYP3A4 inducers that may reduce effect: rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
  • HIV protease inhibitors and other antiretrovirals
  • Calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, verapamil, nicardipine
  • Methadone
  • Bosentan
  • Chloroquine
  • Pimozide
  • Arsenic trioxide
  • Pentamidine
  • Antidepressants including SSRIs, tricyclics, phenothiazines, maprotiline, amoxapine, nefazodone
  • Grapefruit or grapefruit juice (can raise vardenafil levels)

Tell your clinician about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Also mention alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and any recreational drugs. Before starting or stopping anything new, check in with your health care professional.

Warnings and What To Watch For

  • If your erection lasts over 4 hours or is painful, go to emergency care. This could be priapism.
  • Sudden vision loss or changes in color vision or sensitivity to light require urgent medical attention. Stop the drug and call your clinician.
  • If you develop chest pain, nausea, severe dizziness, or arm/jaw pain with sexual activity after taking vardenafil, stop activity and seek medical care.
  • Do not change your dose on your own; ask your prescriber if you think adjustments are needed.
  • Vardenafil does not prevent HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Use barrier protection as appropriate.

Sports note: PDE5 inhibitors (including vardenafil) are not generally prohibited by WADA or major U.S. sports bodies. However, always follow your league or team physician guidance. These medicines are not intended to improve athletic performance.

Possible Side Effects

Seek medical help right away for

  • Chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or shortness of breath
  • Sudden hearing changes, ringing in the ears, or hearing loss
  • Seizures
  • Severe dizziness or allergic reactions such as rash, itching, or eyelid swelling
  • Prolonged or painful erection lasting more than 4 hours
  • Any sudden vision loss or significant visual disturbance
  • Severe back or muscle pain out of proportion to usual aches

Common effects that are often mild

  • Headache
  • Flushing or warmth in the face
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Indigestion or upset stomach
  • Nausea

This is not a full list. Report persistent or bothersome symptoms to your clinician.

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Storage and Handling

  • Store at 15-30 C (59-86 F) in a dry place away from moisture.
  • Keep out of reach of children and pets.
  • Dispose of unused or expired tablets according to local take-back programs. Do not use after the expiration date.

Alternatives and Similar Medicines

Several PDE5 inhibitors are used for ED. Choice depends on how fast you want it to work, how long it lasts, side effect profile, interactions, and cost.

  • Sildenafil (generic Viagra): onset 30-60 min, duration about 4 hours. Visual side effects and food interactions (high-fat meals may slow absorption) can occur.
  • Tadalafil (generic Cialis): onset 30-60 min, duration up to 36 hours ("weekend" option). Also available as low-dose daily therapy for ED and BPH symptoms.
  • Avanafil (Stendra): faster onset in some patients (as early as 15-30 min). May have fewer food interactions; typically brand-only in the U.S.
  • Vardenafil formulations: standard tablets and some orally disintegrating forms exist. Generics may be labeled simply as vardenafil.

If you experience side effects or interactions with vardenafil, your clinician may suggest switching to tadalafil for longer duration, or to sildenafil or avanafil depending on your needs and drug interaction profile. See also the price comparison below.

Approximate U.S. Price Ranges (cash pay, per tablet)

Prices vary widely by pharmacy, discount cards, dose, and brand vs generic. The estimates below are rough retail cash ranges in USD:

  • Vardenafil 20 mg (generic): about $2 - $10; brand Levitra (if available): roughly $40 - $70
  • Sildenafil 100 mg (generic): about $1 - $5; brand Viagra: typically $60 - $90
  • Tadalafil 20 mg (generic): about $0.50 - $4; brand Cialis: often $50 - $80
  • Avanafil 200 mg (Stendra, brand): about $20 - $70

Insurance coverage for ED medications is often limited or excluded. Some plans require prior authorization or limit quantities. Telehealth services and membership ED clinics may offer subscription pricing that lowers per-tablet cost. Always compare local pharmacy prices and use legitimate discount programs.

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