Reviewed by Dr Samantha Miller MB ChB
(2017, University of Glasgow)
GMC number: 7561464
Information last reviewed 25/05/2021
Vardenafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). It is a type of medicine known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE-5 inhibitor) and works by increasing blood flow to the penis when a man is sexually stimulated. Vardenafil does not increase sexual desire but helps him to achieve and maintain an erection for longer when he is sexually stimulated. This can help men who suffer from ED maintain an erection long enough for sexual activity to take place.
Vardenafil’s effects typically last for 4–5 hours.
Vardenafil usually takes around 25 minutes to become effective, however, in clinical studies, a third of patients achieved a satisfactory erection within just 15 minutes of taking vardenafil. For the best results, it should be taken between 25 and 60 minutes before sexual activity. The onset of effects may be delayed if it’s taken alongside a high-fat meal.
Vardenafil is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in 66–80% of patients. If Vardenafil does not seem to be an effective treatment for you, you can speak to a doctor about alternative options.
The root cause of erectile dysfunction is often psychological and the condition is often exacerbated by the stress and anxiety associated with not being able to perform sexually. Vardenafil is an effective, short-term solution that can help relieve some of the worry, which in term may help you to relax and become more confident during sex. However, it is important to be aware that vardenafil can mask the root cause of the problem, and you should speak to a doctor about getting some psychological help if you think you might need it.
Vardenafil can remain effective for up to 5 hours after administration. For best results, it should be taken between 25 and 60 minutes before engaging in sexual activity.
Dose |
One tablet, taken whole with water, 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity |
Type of Medicine |
PDE5 inhibitor |
Mechanism |
Restricts the action of receptors which cause the blood vessels to contract, allowing more blood flow to the penis |
Available Size |
4, 8, 16 or 24 |
Available Strengths |
5mg, 10mg or 20mg |
Active Ingredient |
Vardenafil hydrochloride |
Price |
From £4.99 per tablet |
Side Effects |
Can include indigestion, flushing, dizziness, blocked or runny nose, sleepiness, vertigo, palpitations, breathlessness, ringing in the ears |
The active ingredient in Vardenafil is vardenafil.
The inactive ingredients in vardenafil are cellulose microcrystalline, crospovidone, silica colloidal anhydrous, aspartame (E951), titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide yellow (E172), and magnesium stearate.
Bear in mind that generic vardenafil is produced by several different manufacturers who may use different inactive ingredients. Always check the list of ingredients on the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.
Always start taking vardenafil as instructed by a doctor or pharmacist. To begin with, a doctor will usually recommend a dose of 10mg taken no more than once daily. Check in with your doctor once you’ve started taking vardenafil, and they can discuss the possibility of increasing or decreasing your dosage if necessary.
Swallow one vardenafil tablet whole with water, around 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Do not take more than your prescribed dose, or take more than one tablet per day, as taking too much vardenafil can increase the risk of side effects.
When taking vardenafil, you should try to enjoy sexual activity as normal. If taken 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity, vardenafil will help you to achieve an erection when you are aroused.
The recommended dosage of vardenafil is 1 x 10mg tablet taken around 25 to 60 minutes before engaging in sexual activity, no more than once per day. Your doctor may choose to reduce your dose to 5mg, or increase it to 20mg if necessary. You should not adjust your dose without first speaking to a doctor.
Like all medications, vardenafil can cause side effects in some patients. If you experience any partial, sudden, temporary or permanent decrease or loss of vision or hearing, stop taking vardenafil and contact your doctor immediately.
Roughly 1 in 10 users may experience headaches while using this medication.
Other common side effects, which may affect up to 1 in 10 people, include:
Uncommon side effects (up 1 in 100 users) include:
Rarely (1 in 1000), users may experience the following:
The following side effects are very rare (less than 1 in 10,000 users) or of an unknown frequency:
Do NOT take vardenafil if you:
You should inform your doctor and take particular care when taking vardenafil if you:
Before taking Vardenafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including those purchased over the counter without a prescription.
Do NOT take Vardenafil in combination with the following without first consulting your doctor or pharmacist:
Alcohol doesn’t usually interfere with vardenafil, but it can make erectile dysfunction worse. In order to experience the full effects of vardenafil, try cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink or avoid it altogether when using this medication.
Vardenafil can cause lightheadedness, dizziness or disruption to vision in some patients. If you experience any of these side effects, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking this medication.
If vardenafil does not work for you, speak to your doctor for advice on other treatments. Different erectile dysfunction treatments are more effective in different people, and you may need to try a few to find the best fit for you.
Vardenafil and Viagra (sildenafil) are different medicines, but they both belong to the same drug class (PDE-5 inhibitors) and work in very similar ways. Both can stay effective in the body for up to 5 hours.
Levitra is the brand name for the generic drug vardenafil. Both contain the active ingredient vardenafil and work in the same way, although vardenafil can be cheaper. Generic vardenafil became available to purchase in the UK in October 2018, but should only be purchased from a registered pharmacy or online pharmacy, such as Dr Felix, as unlicensed versions exist and can be dangerous
If you suffer from erectile dysfunction, you can try making some lifestyle changes to help. The root cause of ED is often psychological, with stress and anxiety being major triggers. Where possible, try to reduce the impact of stress in your life by spending sociable time with friends and family, exercising regularly and practising relaxation techniques. Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can also have an impact, improving your general health and well being and helping you to feel more energised. Anxiety can be further exacerbated by problems with sexual performance. Try speaking to your partner about your worries, and be open and honest about sex and sexual anxiety.
Vardenafil can be purchased in the form of film-coated tablets which are swallowed, or in the form of orodispersible tablets which dissolve in the mouth (sold under the name Levitra orodispersible). The tablets are available at a dose of 5, 10 and 20mg, whereas the orodispersible tablets are only available as 10mg. If you are taking the orodispersible tablets but need a higher or lower dose, you may need to switch to capsules.
You may need to try a few different erectile dysfunction treatments before finding the one which is right for you, and a doctor will be able to give you advice. Some people experience side effects of one treatment but have no problem with others. Vardenafil, tadalafil (Cialis) sildenafil (Viagra) and avanafil (Spedra) are similar medications that work by increasing blood flow to the penis when combined with sexual arousal. It can take a while to find which medication works best for you, but some of the key differences to consider are listed below:
Vardenafil is a prescription-only medicine in the UK and cannot be legally purchased over the counter. The only ED medication available over the counter in the UK is 50mg tablets of Viagra Connect.
While Vardenafil can remain effective in the system for up to 5 hours, it only works in combination with sexual stimulation. It will only help to maintain and achieve an erection when engaging in sexual activity, and will not give you an erection for hours.
Vardenafil is a treatment for erectile dysfunction and should be taken by men only. Do not take this medication if you are female.
Vardenafil will not increase your libido or cause you to become sexually stimulated. It only works in combination with sexual stimulation, when it increases blood flow to the penis and helps a man to achieve and maintain an erection.
Prices from:
Generic Viagra
Generic Cialis
Over the counter treatment
Works in 15-30 minutes
Effective for up to 5 hours
Effective for up to 4 hours
For daily or intermittent use
Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil
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