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What is Vardenafil?
Vardenafil relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence).
Vardenafil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medicine guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Vardenafil?
Don`t use Vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack. During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your physician right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Vardenafil . Don`t use Vardenafil more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses. Contact your physician or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis.
Vardenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Vardenafil , most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Vardenafil is the actual cause of vision loss.
Stop using Vardenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Vardenafil?
Don`t use Vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems. This includes nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, and others), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket). Nitrates are also found in some recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers"). Taking Vardenafil with a nitrate medicine can cause a serious decrease in blood pressure, leading to fainting, stroke, or heart attack.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a Vardenafil dose adjustment or special tests:
heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, angina (chest pain), or congestive heart failure;
a recent history of stroke or blood clots;
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome";
high or low blood pressure;
liver disease;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia;
a stomach ulcer;
retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease); or
If you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons.
Vardenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Vardenafil , most of whom also had heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or certain pre-existing eye problems, and in those who smoke or are over 50 years old. It is not clear whether Vardenafil is the actual cause of vision loss. Stop using Vardenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss.
FDA pregnancy category B: Although Vardenafil is not for use in women, this medicine is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Although Vardenafil is not for use in women, it is not known if Vardenafil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Don`t use this medicine without telling your physician if you are breast-feeding a baby. You may need a lower dose of this medicine if you are older than 65. Follow your physician's instructions.
How should I use Vardenafil?
Use exactly as prescribed by your physician. Don`t use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Use each dose with a full glass of water.
Vardenafil can be used with or without food.
Vardenafil is usually used only when needed, about 60 minutes before sexual activity. The medicine can help achieve an erection when sexual stimulation occurs. An erection will not occur just by taking a pill. Follow your physician's instructions.
Don`t use Vardenafil more than once a day. Allow 24 hours to pass between doses. Contact your physician or seek emergency medical attention if your erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours. A prolonged erection (priapism) can damage the penis. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Vardenafil is used as needed, you are not likely to be on a dosing schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention go to nearest hospital.
Overdose symptoms may include back pain, muscle pain, or vision problems.
What should I avoid while taking Vardenafil?
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Vardenafil .
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Vardenafil . Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your physician. Don`t increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your physician.
Don`t use any other drug to treat impotence, such as alprostadil (Caverject, Muse, Edex) or yohimbine (Yocon, Yodoxin, others), unless your physician tells you to.
Vardenafil side effects
Stop using Vardenafil and get emergency medical help if you have sudden vision loss. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. During sexual activity, if you become dizzy or nauseated, or have pain, numbness, or tingling in your chest, arms, neck, or jaw, stop and call your physician right away. You could be having a serious side effect of Vardenafil .
Stop using Vardenafil and call your physician at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
sudden vision loss;
ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
irregular heartbeat;
swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet;
shortness of breath;
vision changes;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer; or
Seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
warmth or redness in your face, neck, or chest;
stuffy nose;
headache;
memory problems;
upset stomach; or
Back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your physician for medical advice about side effects.
Vardenafil Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Erectile Dysfunction:
10 mg orally administered as needed 1 hour prior to anticipate sexual activity. A maximum of one dose per day is recommended. Sexual stimulation is required for response to treatment.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Erectile Dysfunction:
5 mg orally as needed 1 hour prior to anticipated sexual activity. Sexual stimulation is required for response to treatment.
What other drugs will affect Vardenafil?
Don`t use Vardenafil if you are also using a nitrate drug for chest pain or heart problems, including nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Bid, Minitran, Deponit, Transderm-Nitro), isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil, Sorbitrate), and isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").
Before taking Vardenafil , tell your physician about all other medicines you use for erectile dysfunction, or if you are using any of the following medicines:
conivaptan (Vaprisol);
diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);
imatinib (Gleevec);
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
an antifungal medicine such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate disorder, such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin (Flomax);
heart or blood pressure medicine such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), quinidine(Quinidex, Quinaglute), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), or sotalol (Betapace); or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Vardenafil . Tell your physician about all medicines you use. This includes prescription, over the counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Don`t start a new medicine without telling your physician.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Vardenafil .
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your physician, nurse or pharmacist.
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