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Vardenafil

Key points about vardenafil

Vardenafil is used to treat erection problems.
Vardenafil is also called Levitra.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Vardenafil is used for men with erection problems (erectile dysfunction). It works by increasing blood flow to the penis, to help achieve an erection. It will only work if you are sexually excited. Read more about erectile dysfunction.

It belongs to a group of medicines called phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE5) inhibitors. They help to make a penis erect. Read more about PDE5 inhibitors.

In Aotearoa New Zealand vardenafil is available as tablets (10 mg and 20 mg).

The dose can be either 10 mg or 20 mg. The dose depends on your response.
Vardenafil is taken as a single dose before sexual activity. Do not take more than 1 dose a day.
Always take your vardenafil exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much vardenafil to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.

Timing: Take your dose 25–60 minutes before you intend to have sex. Vardenafil can keep working for up to 5 hours.
Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not take with grapefruit or orange juice.
You can take it with or without food. It may take longer to work if you take it with a heavy meal. Avoid excessive alcohol as it can lessen the sexual response.
Effectiveness: PDE5 inhibitors do not work for everyone – about a third of men don't see an improvement. Many men need to try the medication a few (6–8) times before it works. If you don't have any improvement, do not increase your dose. Instead talk to your doctor as there may be other treatment options.

Vardenafil is available on prescription from your doctor. It is not funded in Aotearoa New Zealand for general erectile dysfunction. None of the PDE5 inhibitor medications are funded in New Zealand for general erectile dysfunction.

Have you ever had a stroke?
Do you have any heart or blood pressure problems?
Do you have an eye problem called optic neuropathy?
Do you have leukaemia (cancer of the blood cells) or multiple myeloma (a cancer of the bone marrow)?
Do you have sickle cell disease?
Do you have any disease or deformity of your penis?
Do you have any bleeding disorders?
Do you have a stomach ulcer?
Do you have kidney or liver problems?
Are you taking any other medicines including alpha blocker medicine (such as doxazosin, terazosin, prazosin)?
Are you taking any over-the-counter and complementary medicines, eg, vitamins, minerals, herbal or naturopathic medicines?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, it’s important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you take vardenafil. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.

Vardenafil has several medication interactions so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting vardenafil.

Serious medication interaction with nitrates
Nitrates and vardenafil should NOT be taken together, as both medicines together can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and collapse. Nitrates come in a variety of forms. Examples of nitrates are: isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo 20®, Ismo 40 Retard®, Duride®) sprays such as Glytrin® or Nitrolingual® spray patches such as Nitroderm TTS® ointment such Percutol®.

Serious medication interaction with nitrates

Nitrates and vardenafil should NOT be taken together, as both medicines together can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and collapse. Nitrates come in a variety of forms. Examples of nitrates are:

isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo 20®, Ismo 40 Retard®, Duride®)
sprays such as Glytrin® or Nitrolingual® spray
patches such as Nitroderm TTS®
ointment such Percutol®.

Like all medicines, vardenafil can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Blocked nose Sensation of redness and warmth or burning of the face (called facial flushing)	These will pass quite quickly.
Headache Dizziness Muscle aches and pains	Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you. If dizzy, do not drive or operate heavy machinery
Indigestion	Tell your doctor if it bothers you.
An erection that lasts longer than 4 hours Painful erection Chest pain Rash or swelling of the face Sudden problems with your eyesight such as loss of vision, in one or both eyes Sudden loss of hearing	Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
For more information on side effects, see the Medsafe consumer information leaflets Levitra(external link). Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.