Vardenafil for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Approval: 2003". ^ "Levitra (Vardenafil) is A Drug Used to Treat Erectile Problems in Men" (in German). "Potency, selectivity, and consequences of nonselectivity of PDE inhibition". "Effects of vardenafil administration on intravaginal ejaculatory latency time in men with lifelong premature ejaculation". "Counseling Patients About Sexual Issues: Drug-Induced Priapism".
Prescription Status: Rx-Only vs. OTC
Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
What is vardenafil used for?
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies. Vardenafil, sold under the brand name Levitra among others, is a medication that is used for treating erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil's indications and contraindications are the same as with other PDE5 inhibitors; it is closely related in function to sildenafil citrate (Viagra) vardenafil hcl 10mg and tadalafil (Cialis). ^ "FDA Announces Revisions to Labels for Cialis, Levitra and Viagra".
- Lifestyle changes can improve ED symptoms alongside medication.
- Regular exercise and diet may enhance efficacy.
- Managing stress can also contribute to better outcomes.
Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. "Pharmacology and drug interaction effects of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors: focus on alpha-blocker interactions".
- Storage should be at room temperature away from moisture.
- Keep Vardenafil out of reach of children and pets.
- Check expiration date before use.
"The QT Interval and Selection of Alpha-Blockers for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia". ^ "New erectile dysfunction treatment Staxyn approved in the U.S. - Pharmaceutical Processing". Archived from the original on April 6, 2012.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cialis Soft Tabs | 20mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 87.43€ 83.27€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 177.58€ 169.12€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 92 + 4 Pills | 362.88€ 345.60€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 50mg | 10 Pills | 26.87€ 25.59€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 40mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 277.29€ 264.09€ | |
| Kamagra Oral Jelly | 100 mg | 110 + 9 Sachets | 334.87€ 318.92€ | |
| Kamagra Gold | 100 mg | 360 + 6 Pills | 839.95€ 799.95€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 330.21€ 314.49€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 10 Pills | 28.91€ 27.53€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 20mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 68.05€ 64.81€ | |
| Levitra Generic | 40mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 234.73€ 223.55€ | |
| Cialis Generic | 60mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 196.67€ 187.30€ |
^ "Staxyn - New Innovation in Erectile Dysfunction Helps Younger Men Rise to the Occasion". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ^ Tucker J, Fischer T, Upjohn L, Mazzera D, Kumar M (October 2018). "Unapproved Pharmaceutical Ingredients Included in Dietary Supplements Associated With US Food and Drug Administration Warnings".
Additional Resources
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a warning about possible deafness (sudden hearing loss) would be added to the drug labels of vardenafil, and other PDE5 inhibitors. Vardenafil should not be used by people taking nitrate medications, because combining them with vardenafil might provoke potentially life-threatening hypotension (low blood pressure). Further, vardenafil causes lengthening of the QT interval. Therefore, it should not be taken by people taking other medications that affect the QT interval (such as amiodarone). Vardenafil was co-marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, and Schering-Plough under the brand name Levitra.
Professional resources
As of 2005, the co-promotion rights of GSK on Levitra have been returned to Bayer in many markets outside the US. Thus, because of European Union trade rules, parallel imports might result in Vivanza sold next to Levitra in the EU. An orally disintegrating form, marketed as Staxyn and Levitra Soft, has been gaining approvals in countries such as the United States[11] and Canada. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found vardenafil and other synthetic PDE5 inhibitors in numerous products marketed as "herbal" supplements or "all natural" products for male enhancement. ^ a b c d "Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) tablets, for oral use Initial U.S. LEVITRA- vardenafil hydrochloride tablet, film coated APHENA PHARMA SOLUTIONS - TENNESSEE, INC. LEVITRA® is an oral therapy for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
| Price Range (per pill) | Availability | Common Suppliers | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2 - $10 | Widely available in pharmacies | Online pharmacies, local stores | Varies by insurer |
| Generic versions | Generally cheaper | Many online vendors | Often partially covered |
| Brand-name Levitra | Higher cost | Pharmacies, clinics | Depending on plan |
Vardenafil HCl is designated chemically as piperazine, 1-[[3-(1,4-dihydro-5-methyl-4-oxo-7-propylimidazo[5,1-f ][1,2,4]triazin-2-yl)-4-ethoxyphenyl]sulfonyl]-4-ethyl-, monohydrochloride and has the following structural formula: Vardenafil HCl is a nearly colorless, solid substance with a molecular weight of 579.1 g/mol and a solubility of 0.11 mg/mL in water. LEVITRA is formulated as orange, round, film-coated tablets with “BAYER” cross debossed on one side and “2.5”, “5”, “10”, and “20” on the other side corresponding to 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg of vardenafil, respectively. Penile erection is a hemodynamic process initiated by the relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum and its associated arterioles.
| Form Type | Dosage Range (mg) | Available Brands | Typical Use Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tablets | 2.5, 5, 10, 20 | Levitra, Staxyn | Up to 4-6 hours |
| Orally Disintegrating Tablets | 10 | Levitra ODT | Up to 4 hours |
| Sublingual Tablets | 10 | Staxyn | Up to 4 hours |
During sexual stimulation, nitric oxide is released from nerve endings and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum. Nitric oxide activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase resulting in increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum. The cGMP in turn triggers smooth muscle relaxation, allowing increased blood flow into the penis, resulting in erection. The tissue concentration of cGMP is regulated by both the rates of synthesis and degradation via phosphodiesterases (PDEs).
| Side Effect | Frequency (%) | Severity | Management Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | 15-20 | Mild | Hydration, OTC pain relievers |
| Flushing | 10-15 | Mild | Cooling measures, reassurance |
| Nasal Congestion | 8-12 | Mild to Moderate | Decongestants, monitor |
| Dizziness | 5-8 | Mild | Sit or lie down, avoid driving |
The most abundant PDE in the human corpus cavernosum is the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5); therefore, the inhibition of PDE5 enhances erectile function by increasing the amount of cGMP.
Liver Dose Adjustments
Tell your doctor if you have fructose intolerance. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. erection that lasts longer than 4 hours sudden severe loss of vision (see below for the pink pill for women more information) changes in color vision (seeing blue tinge on objects, difficulty telling the difference between blue and green, or difficulty seeing at night) swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Some patients experienced a sudden loss of some or all of their vision after they took vardenafil or other medications that are similar to vardenafil. The vision loss was permanent in some cases.
Before taking vardenafil,
It is not known if the vision loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of vision while you are taking vardenafil, call your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of vardenafil or similar medications such as sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) until you talk to your doctor. Some patients experienced a sudden decrease or loss of hearing after they took vardenafil or other medications that are similar to vardenafil. The hearing loss usually involved only one ear and may not get better. Because sexual stimulation is required to initiate the local release of nitric oxide, the inhibition of PDE5 has no effect in the absence of sexual stimulation.
- Vardenafil enhances blood flow to help achieve an erection.
- It does not cause automatic erections without sexual stimulation.
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
In vitro studies have shown that vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of PDE5.
- Common side effects include headaches and flushing.
- Serious side effects are rare but may include vision changes.
- Consult a doctor if you experience chest pain.
The inhibitory effect of vardenafil is more selective on PDE5 than for other known phosphodiesterases (>15-fold relative to PDE6, >130-fold relative to PDE1, >300-fold relative to PDE11, and >1,000-fold relative to PDE2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 10). The pharmacokinetics of vardenafil are approximately dose proportional over the recommended dose range.
What to Avoid When Taking Vardenafil
The difference between the vardenafil molecule and sildenafil citrate is a nitrogen atom's position and the change of sildenafil's piperazine ring methyl group to an ethyl group. Tadalafil is structurally different from both sildenafil and vardenafil. Vardenafil's relatively short effective time is comparable to but somewhat longer than sildenafil's. Despite the structural differences between vardenafil and sildenafil, they both show similar ocular side effects due to their similar selectivity overlap with PDE6, an enzyme found in the eye. Beyond its indications for erectile dysfunction, vardenafil may be effective in the treatment of premature ejaculation, where it may significantly increase the time from penetration to ejaculation.
Are you currently using Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)?
The common, adverse drug reactions (side effects) are the same as with other PDE5 inhibitors. The frequent vardenafil-specific side-effect is nausea; the infrequent side effects are abdominal pain, back pain, photosensitivity, abnormal vision, eye pain, facial edema, hypotension, palpitation, tachycardia, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, itch, and priapism. One possibly serious, but rare, side effect with vardenafil is heart attack. Also, in rare cases, vardenafil use may cause priapism, a very painful emergency condition that can cause impotence if left untreated. In October 2007, the U.S. Vardenafil is eliminated predominantly by hepatic metabolism, mainly by CYP3A4 and to a minor extent, CYP2C isoforms. Concomitant use with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir, indinavir, ketoconazole, as well as moderate CYP3A inhibitors such as erythromycin results in significant increases of plasma levels of vardenafil (see PRECAUTIONS, WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Mean vardenafil plasma concentrations measured after the administration of a single oral dose of 20 mg to healthy male volunteers are depicted in Figure 1.
Affordable men's sexual healthcare you can trust.
It is not known if the hearing loss was caused by the medication. If you experience a sudden loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness, while you are taking vardenafil, call your doctor immediately. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( or by phone (1-800-332-1088). Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Does Food Affect How ED Drugs Work?
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information. Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Figure 1: Plasma Vardenafil Concentration (Mean ± SD) Curve for a Single 20 mg LEVITRA Dose Vardenafil is rapidly absorbed with absolute bioavailability of approximately 15%.
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