What is Snovitra?

Snovitra is a vardenafil-containing medicine intended to help men with erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis. It does not trigger an erection by itself; sexual stimulation is required. See How To Take It for timing and dose details.

While dosages like 10 mg and 20 mg are common for on-demand ED therapy, some markets list a 40 mg tablet. US prescribing information for vardenafil typically recommends a maximum of 20 mg once per day.

How to take Snovitra (vardenafil)

Typical on-demand use is 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Many men start at 10 mg and adjust between 5 mg and 20 mg based on effectiveness and tolerability. Do not exceed one dose in a 24-hour period. Food can slightly delay onset, especially high-fat meals. Avoid excessive alcohol, which can worsen dizziness or reduce erectile response.

If you need a refresher on situations where vardenafil is not appropriate, visit Do Not Use If and Drug Interactions.

Precautions and when to be careful

Discuss your full medical history and all products you take (prescription, OTC, vitamins, and herbal supplements) with your clinician before starting Snovitra. Extra caution is advised in the following scenarios:

  • History of seizures or epilepsy
  • Structural penile conditions or predisposition to priapism
  • Low blood pressure or dehydration
  • Significant heart disease or limited exercise tolerance
  • Hearing or vision changes in the past, including NAION risk factors
  • Liver or kidney impairment
  • Concurrent alcohol use or sensitivity to alcohol

Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice; they can raise vardenafil levels and side effect risk. If you experience sudden vision or hearing loss, stop the medicine and seek urgent care. For a list of serious symptoms, jump to Side Effects.

Do not use Snovitra if

  • You use any nitrate medicine (for example, nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate/mononitrate) or recreational poppers; the combination can cause dangerous blood pressure drops.
  • You take riociguat (a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator).
  • You have a known allergy to vardenafil or any tablet component.
  • You have been advised to avoid sexual activity for cardiovascular reasons, or you had a recent heart attack or stroke.
  • You have a history of prolonged QT interval or take class IA/III antiarrhythmics such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, or sotalol.
  • You have severe hepatic impairment; vardenafil may not be appropriate.
  • You plan to combine with other ED medications or additional PDE5 inhibitors.

Some eye disorders (for example, retinitis pigmentosa) require individualized risk assessment; discuss with your clinician.

Possible side effects

Most reactions are mild and pass as the dose is adjusted. Serious events are uncommon but require immediate attention.

Common, usually mild

  • Nasal stuffiness
  • Headache
  • Indigestion
  • Flushing or warmth
  • Back pain or muscle aches
  • Dizziness

Serious, seek urgent care

  • Priapism (erection lasting more than 4 hours)
  • Sudden loss of vision or signs of NAION
  • Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing or dizziness
  • Severe drop in blood pressure or fainting
  • Irregular heartbeat or chest pain
  • Seizure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack
  • Significant eye pain or sharply increased intraocular pressure

Experiencing notable side effects repeatedly? Review your medicines at Drug Interactions and speak with your prescriber about dose changes or alternatives in Alternatives and Similar Medicines.

Drug and food interactions

Tell your provider and pharmacist about everything you take. Interactions may increase side effects or reduce benefit.

  • Nitrates of any form (contraindicated)
  • Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin or doxazosin (risk of hypotension; careful spacing and dose titration may be needed)
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, indinavir, cobicistat, clarithromycin, erythromycin
  • CYP3A4 inducers: carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John's wort (may reduce effect)
  • Antiarrhythmics that prolong QT: quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol
  • Antihypertensives such as amlodipine and other blood pressure medicines (additive BP lowering)
  • Cimetidine and some acid reducers (can alter levels; relevance varies)
  • Grapefruit or grapefruit juice (avoid)

Unsure about a specific product? Bring the exact name and dose to your clinician.

Missed dose

Snovitra is taken only as needed for sexual activity, not on a scheduled daily basis. If you skip an intended dose, take it before sexual activity when needed, but never more than once in 24 hours.

Overdose

Taking more than prescribed increases the chance of severe dizziness, fainting, visual changes, or a prolonged painful erection. Call your clinician or poison control (1-800-222-1222 in the US). For collapsed, nonresponsive, or severely symptomatic individuals, call 911 immediately.

Storage and handling

Keep tablets at room temperature, ideally 68-77 F (20-25 C), in a dry, dark place. Store in the original package, away from moisture and heat, and out of sight and reach of children and pets.

Alternatives and similar medicines

If Snovitra (vardenafil) is not suitable or not available, your clinician may suggest another PDE5 inhibitor. These medicines have different onset times, duration, and interaction profiles:

  • Sildenafil (Viagra, generic): Onset about 30-60 minutes; duration up to 4-6 hours. Food, especially high fat, can delay effect.
  • Tadalafil (Cialis, generic): Onset 30-45 minutes; long duration up to 36 hours; daily low-dose option exists for some patients.
  • Avanafil (Stendra): Faster onset in some users (as little as 15-30 minutes); duration roughly 6 hours.
  • Vardenafil ODT (Staxyn) or other vardenafil brands: Same active ingredient with different formulations.

All PDE5 inhibitors share key contraindications with nitrates and riociguat and may lower blood pressure. Review the Do Not Use If section before switching. Your prescriber can help match a product to your timing needs, side effect profile, and other medicines you take.

Approximate prices in the USA (USD)

Actual patient cost varies by pharmacy, insurance, discount cards, and quantity. These ballpark figures reflect common retail or coupon prices per tablet as of recent US market trends:

  • Vardenafil generic 10-20 mg: about $1 to $6 per tablet with coupons; higher at full retail.
  • Levitra brand (vardenafil): brand availability in the US has been limited; where stocked, expect premium pricing often $70+ per tablet.
  • Sildenafil generic 25-100 mg: about $0.50 to $3 per tablet with discounts.
  • Viagra brand: often $70 to $100+ per tablet.
  • Tadalafil generic 5-20 mg: roughly $0.70 to $4 per tablet with discounts.
  • Cialis brand: commonly $70 to $90 per tablet.
  • Avanafil (Stendra) brand: often $40 to $80 per tablet.

Note: Snovitra is a brand name used in some non-US markets for vardenafil and is not FDA-approved as Snovitra in the USA. Prices quoted by international online sellers can be lower (for example $1-$3 per 20 mg tablet), but purchasing unapproved medicines from abroad may violate US import rules; see USA Legal Status.

Fast answers

How long does it last? Many men experience benefit for about 4-6 hours after a dose.

Can I drink alcohol? Small amounts may be tolerated, but heavy drinking increases dizziness and can hinder erection. Keep intake light.

Can I split tablets? Scored tablets can often be split, but dosing accuracy varies. Ask your pharmacist if your product is suitable for splitting.

What if I am on blood pressure medicine? Vardenafil can add to blood pressure lowering. Review all your meds with your prescriber and see Drug Interactions.