Vardenafil is a prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). While it’s not as well known as the medication Viagra®, it’s been steadily rising in popularity. Keep reading to learn more about vardenafil’s uses, benefits, and potential side effects.
What is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is the active ingredient in Levitra, Staxyn, and Vivanza, three brand name medications used to treat ED.
Co-created and co-manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, and Schering-Plough, Levitra first hit the market in 2003, around five years after Viagra®.
In 2018, the exclusive patent for vardenafil expired, and generic versions of the ED drug hit the market. A patient needs a valid prescription in order to obtain this medication legally.
How Does Vardenafil Work?
Like sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredients in Viagra® and Cialis®, vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor.
To achieve an erection, your brain sends neurotransmitters and chemical messengers through your body. One of these chemicals is called nitric oxide. It expands and dilates the blood vessels within your penis.
Nitric oxide increases blood flow into your penis while reducing the amount of blood that flows out. This creates an erection.
PDE5 inhibitors enhance nitric oxide by blocking certain enzymes found in your blood vessel walls.
By preventing these enzymes from constricting your blood vessels, PDE5 inhibitors help men achieve stronger erections that last longer. Without adequate arousal or stimulation, PDE5 inhibitors are not effective ED treatments.
What are the Dosages of Vardenafil?
Vardenafil is more potent than other PDE5 inhibitors, meaning it requires a lower dosage to work. For example, the most common dosage of sildenafil (Viagra®) is 50 milligrams. For vardenafil (Levitra), it’s only 10 milligrams.
There are four different doses of vardenafil available: 2.5 milligrams, 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, and 20 milligrams. Typically, a doctor will prescribe a dose of 10 milligrams, then adjust the dose if needed.
Men with ED should take this drug on an empty stomach 30 minutes or an hour before sexual activity. Its effects should last for four or five hours. Duration may vary depending on your metabolism, the dosage, and the contents of your stomach.
You should only take the prescribed dose. Never take more than one tablet in 24 hours. If you feel unsatisfied with vardenafil’s results, talk with your doctor about increasing the dose or switching medications.
Are There Side Effects to Using Vardenafil?
Just like any medication, vardenafil has possible side effects. The most common side effects include:
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Headaches
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Indigestion
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Flushing in the face or body
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Dizziness
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Runny or congested nose
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Abdominal cramps
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Back pain
Although rare, an allergic reaction may occur. These symptoms might include difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe swelling, and hives.
If you are experiencing an allergic reaction, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Serious side effects may occur if you mix vardenafil with other medications. It’s especially risky to take it with drugs used to treat heart problems, as they may impact circulation.
Do not take vardenafil or any other PDE5 inhibitor if you are taking the following medications:
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Blood pressure medications
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Blood thinners or nitrates
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Antibiotics or antifungals
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Other PDE5 inhibitors
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Prostate medications
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HIV or AIDS medications
Is Vardenafil Better than Viagra® and Cialis®?
There are a few differences between Viagra®, Cialis®, and Vardenafil.
Viagra® and vardenafil are especially similar, but vardenafil is more potent when inhibiting PDE5. It’s also less likely to cause visual side effects that have been reported to occur with Viagra.
It’s difficult to compare Cialis® with Viagra® and vardenafil. While patients should only use Viagra® and vardenafil before sex, Cialis® is a daily medication. Patients take Cialis® every morning, and it helps provide an erection if they become aroused throughout the day.
Tips for Boosting the Effectiveness of Vardenafil
You can increase vardenafil’s overall effectiveness with the following adjustments and lifestyle changes.
Don’t eat beforehand
Try to avoid eating for an hour or two before taking vardenafil. The less food in your digestive tract, the faster the vardenafil will be absorbed.
Additionally, your body needs blood for digestion. If there is more blood in your stomach, there is less blood available to enter your penis. If you must eat beforehand, avoid heavy foods high in fat and carbohydrates.
Change your diet in general
Eating a balanced diet can improve your ability to achieve and maintain erections.
Avoid foods that are high in salt, sugar, and fat, as they can impact your sexual functions. Instead, eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish. These foods can keep your arteries clear and your blood pressure in a normal range.
A healthy diet can also help you to lose weight. Maintaining a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or less will greatly reduce your odds of experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Get some more exercise
Your erections are extremely dependent on your cardiovascular and circulatory systems. Without steady and consistent blood flow into your penis, it’s essentially impossible to achieve an erection.
Getting more exercise will help strengthen your cardiovascular muscles, providing a more efficient and steady blood flow. For best results, do a moderate workout four times per week for 40 minutes.
Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake
Smoking is considered the leading cause of erectile dysfunction in men under 40.
Smoking not only damages your brain, heart, and lungs, it also severely constricts your blood vessels due to nicotine and harmful chemicals.
While drinking alcohol is considerably less hazardous, you should still avoid alcohol while taking vardenafil. Having more than one or two drinks can make it harder to keep an erection and will limit its efficacy.
How Rex MD Can Help
Vardenafil is one of several prescription medications that can treat the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
Like any medication, there are potential side effects and risks. The side effects and risks associated with this drug are similar to other ED medications.
Speak with your doctor before taking vardenafil. Vardenafil is generally very safe, but it can cause dangerous drug interactions when combined with certain medications.
