Vardenafil Troche (Each)
Frequently used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), vardenafil is among the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) medications class. selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 inhibitors This family of medications does not block prostaglandins, as some ED treatments (such alprostadil) do. Vardenafil and tadalafil are more selective for PDE5 than for PDE6, which is found in the retina; hence, they cause less visual negative effects like those seen in sildenafiltreated patients. In a study of 580 patients, erects improved in 80% of males and the ability to finish sexual activity with ejaculation increased. Diabetics’ efficiency Furthermore demonstrated therapy has been shown for those going through significant prostectomy. Firstline treatment under ED guidelines is vardenafil, an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5 inhibitor) accepted by the FDA for erectile dysfunction in August 2003. June 2010 saw the FDA approve an oral disintegrating tablet.
Vardenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, but it’s important to know if you have certain health conditions before using it. You should inform your healthcare provider if you have bleeding disorders, eye or vision problems (including a rare inherited condition called retinitis pigmentosa), or any penile abnormalities such as. Heart-related issues are also important to mention, including heart disease, angina, previous heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, or other heart problems. Additionally, if you have high or low blood pressure, blood diseases like sickle cell anemia or leukemia, a history of stomach bleeding, kidney or liver disease, or a stroke, your doctor needs to know.
Vardenafil should not be used if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. It is also unsafe to combine vardenafil with nitrate or nitrite medications, which are often prescribed for chest pain, because this combination can cause dangerously low blood pressure. If you are currently on nitrate therapy, you should not take vardenafil at all. The safe timing for using nitrates after taking vardenafil is not known.
People with severe liver disease or those on dialysis for kidney failure should avoid vardenafil, as its safety in these groups hasn’t been established. Those with moderate liver problems may need a lower dose, while mild liver or kidney issues usually don’t require dose changes. Elderly patients (65 years and older) often have higher levels of the drug in their system, so a lower starting dose is recommended. Older adults may also have kidney or liver problems that increase drug levels, raising the risk of side effects.
Because sexual activity can put stress on the heart, your doctor will assess your cardiovascular health before prescribing vardenafil. Use caution if you have had a recent heart attack, stroke, or serious heart rhythm problems, or if you have very low or very high blood pressure. Vardenafil can affect the heart’s electrical activity, so it should be avoided in people with certain heart rhythm disorders or those taking medications that affect heart rhythm. If you have conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, or low blood volume, your doctor will carefully consider the risks.
Vardenafil can cause prolonged erections lasting more than four hours, which can damage the penis if not treated promptly. Use caution if you have penile structural problems or blood disorders that increase the risk of priapism.
This medication does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so safe sex practices should still be followed.
If you have pre-existing vision problems, be aware that sudden vision loss has been reported with drugs like vardenafil. This is due to a rare condition where blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, potentially causing permanent vision loss. If you experience sudden vision changes, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical attention. People with inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa should avoid vardenafil.
Vardenafil is not approved for use in women, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or children. Its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, and it is not intended for use in these groups.
If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia, vardenafil may worsen symptoms by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter.
For patients with bleeding disorders or active stomach ulcers, vardenafil should be used only after careful consideration, as its effects in these conditions are not well studied.
If you notice any hearing changes, stop the medication and seek medical help immediately.
It also contains sorbitol, which should be avoided by those with hereditary fructose intolerance.
This summary covers many important precautions but may not include all possible risks. Always discuss your full medical history with your healthcare provider before starting vardenafil to ensure it is safe for you.
Vardenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, but it’s important to be aware of certain health conditions and precautions before using it. You should tell your healthcare provider if you have any bleeding disorders, eye or vision problems (including a rare inherited condition called retinitis pigmentosa), or any penile abnormalities such as Peyronie’s disease or a history of priapism, which is a painful and prolonged erection. Heart-related issues are also important to mention, including heart disease, angina, previous heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, or other heart problems. Additionally, if you have high or low blood pressure, blood diseases like sickle cell anemia or leukemia, a history of stomach bleeding, kidney or liver disease, or a stroke, your doctor needs to know.
Vardenafil should not be used if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. It is also unsafe to combine vardenafil with nitrate or nitrite medications, which are often prescribed for chest pain, because this combination can cause dangerously low blood pressure. If you are currently on nitrate therapy, you should not take vardenafil at all. The safe timing for using nitrates after taking vardenafil is not known.
People with severe liver disease or those on dialysis for kidney failure should avoid vardenafil, as its safety in these groups hasn’t been established. Those with moderate liver problems may need a lower dose, while mild liver or kidney issues usually don’t require dose changes. Elderly patients (65 years and older) often have higher levels of the drug in their system, so a lower starting dose is recommended. Older adults may also have kidney or liver problems that increase drug levels, raising the risk of side effects.
Because sexual activity can put stress on the heart, your doctor will assess your cardiovascular health before prescribing vardenafil. Use caution if you have had a recent heart attack, stroke, or serious heart rhythm problems, or if you have very low or very high blood pressure. Vardenafil can affect the heart’s electrical activity, so it should be avoided in people with certain heart rhythm disorders or those taking medications that affect heart rhythm. If you have conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, or low blood volume, your doctor will carefully consider the risks.
Vardenafil can cause prolonged erections lasting more than four hours, which can damage the penis if not treated promptly. Use caution if you have penile structural problems or blood disorders that increase the risk of priapism.
This medication does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so safe sex practices should still be followed.
If you have pre-existing vision problems, be aware that sudden vision loss has been reported with drugs like vardenafil. This is due to a rare condition where blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, potentially causing permanent vision loss. If you experience sudden vision changes, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical attention. People with inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa should avoid vardenafil.
Vardenafil is not approved for use in women, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or children. Its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, and it is not intended for use in these groups.
If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia, vardenafil may worsen symptoms by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter.
For patients with bleeding disorders or active stomach ulcers, vardenafil should be used only after careful consideration, as its effects in these conditions are not well studied.
If you notice any hearing changes, stop the medication and seek medical help immediately.
It also contains sorbitol, which should be avoided by those with hereditary fructose intolerance.
This summary covers many important precautions but may not include all possible risks. Always discuss your full medical history with your healthcare provider before starting vardenafil to ensure it is safe for you.
Vardenafil is a medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, and like all medicines, it can cause side effects. Some side effects are serious and need immediate medical attention, while others are milder and may go away on their own. It’s important to know which symptoms to watch for and when to contact your doctor.
Serious Side Effects to Report Immediately
If you experience any of the following, stop taking vardenafil and seek medical help right away:
Allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
Difficulty breathing or chest tightness
Changes in hearing, like sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears
Chest pain or a fast, irregular heartbeat
Prolonged or painful erections lasting more than 4 hours (priapism)
Seizures or convulsions
These symptoms could indicate serious health problems and require urgent care.
Common Side Effects That Usually Don’t Need Medical Attention
Some side effects are more common but tend to be mild or temporary. You should tell your doctor if these continue or bother you:
Headache
Dizziness
Indigestion or upset stomach
Muscle aches or back pain
Nausea
Stuffy or runny nose
Flushing happens in about 7 to 11% of people taking vardenafil, and it tends to increase with higher doses.
Less Common Side Effects
Some side effects occur in fewer than 2% of patients but are still important to be aware of:
Neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, sleep problems, memory issues, or seizures
Gastrointestinal problems including abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, and acid reflux
Muscle cramps, neck pain, or increased muscle tone
Cardiovascular effects like chest pain, changes in blood pressure, palpitations, or fainting
Respiratory issues such as nasal congestion, sinus infections, or flu-like symptoms
Ejaculation problems or nosebleeds
Visual disturbances including changes in color vision, blurred vision, eye pain, or light sensitivity
Vision and Hearing Concerns
Vardenafil can affect vision because it influences certain enzymes in the retina. Some people have reported temporary changes in color perception, especially blue and green hues, usually around the time the medication is at its peak level in the blood. Rarely, more serious eye problems like sudden vision loss or optic nerve damage (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION) have been reported. These serious eye issues often happen in people with existing risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or certain anatomical features of the eye.
Sometimes these hearing changes come with dizziness or vertigo. If you notice any sudden changes in your hearing, contact your doctor immediately.
Effects on Heart and Blood Pressure
These effects typically occur within 1 to 4 hours after taking the medication. Because of this, vardenafil may add to the blood pressure-lowering effects of other medications, so your doctor will monitor you closely if you are on antihypertensive drugs.
Rarely, serious heart-related side effects like chest pain, heart attack, or abnormal heart rhythms have been reported. If you experience chest pain or irregular heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately.
Other Possible Side Effects
Respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinusitis, or flu-like symptoms are relatively common.
Muscle and joint pain, including back pain and neck pain, have been reported.
Some patients experience sleep disturbances like insomnia or drowsiness.
Changes in laboratory tests, such as elevated liver enzymes or muscle enzymes, have been seen but are uncommon.
Important Precautions
If you have a history of allergic reactions to vardenafil or similar drugs, do not take it.
People with certain heart conditions, low blood pressure, or those taking medications that affect heart rhythm should use vardenafil cautiously.
Prolonged erections lasting more than 4 hours require emergency medical treatment to prevent permanent damage.
Vardenafil does not protect against sexually transmitted infections; safe sex practices are still necessary.
If you have pre-existing vision or hearing problems, discuss these with your doctor before starting vardenafil.
Summary
While many people tolerate vardenafil well, it can cause side effects ranging from mild to serious. Common side effects include headache, flushing, and indigestion, which often improve over time. Serious side effects like allergic reactions, chest pain, sudden vision or hearing loss, and prolonged erections require immediate medical attention. Always communicate openly with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience, and never hesitate to seek emergency care if you have symptoms that concern you.
Women are not advised to use vardenafil. Vardenafil falls under FDA pregnancy risk level B. In people during pregnancy, there are no sufficient and well-controlled studies of vardenafil.
Not prescribed for women, vardenafil should hence be avoided during nursing. Although vardenafil is known to pass into the breast milk of lactating females, it is unknown if it is also eliminated in human breast milk.
Store this medication in its original container at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and away from heat, moisture and light. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine after the beyond use date. Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain.
- Montague DK, Jarow JP, Broderick GA, et al. Chapter 1: The management of erectile dysfunction: an AUA update. J Urol 2005;174:230-9.
- Levitra (vardenafil) package insert. Kenilworth, NJ: Schering-Plough; 2007 Mar.
- Staxyn (vardenafil orally disintegrating tablets) package insert. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Schering-Plough; 2010 Jun.
- Thadani U, Smith W, Nash S, et al. The effect of vardenafil, a potent and highly selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, on the cardiovascular response to exercise in patients with coronary artery disease. J Am C
- Roden, DM. Drug-induced prolongation of the QT interval. New Engl J Med 2004;350:1013-22.
- Crouch MA, Limon L, Cassano AT. Clinical relevance and management of drug-related QT interval prolongation. Pharmacotherapy 2003;23:881-908.
- van Noord C, Eijgelsheim M, Stricker BH. Drug- and non-drug-associated QT interval prolongation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2010;70(1):16-23.
- Benoit SR, Mendelsohn AB, Nourjah P, et al. Risk factors for prolonged QTc among US adults: Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 2005;12(4):363-368.
- Koide T, Ozeki K, Kaihara S, et al. Etiology of QT prolongation and T wave changes in chronic alcoholism. Jpn Heart J 1981;22:151-166.
- Galli-Tsinopoulou A, Chatzidimitriou A, Kyrgios I, et al. Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus have a sixfold greater risk for prolonged QTc interval. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2014;27:237-243.
- Burnett AL, Bivalacqua TJ. Priapism: current principles and practice. Urol Clin N Am 2007;34:631-642.
- Bortolotti M, Mari C, Giovannini M, et al. Effects of sildenafil on esophageal motility of normal subjects. Dig Dis Sci 2001;46:2301-2306.
- Pomeranz HD, Bhavsar AR. Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy developing soon after use of sildenafil (Viagra): a report of seven new cases. J Neuroophthalmol 2005;25:9-13.
- Escaravage GK Jr, Wright JD Jr, Givre SJ. Tadalafil associated with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123(3):399-400.
- Bollinger K, Lee MS. Recurrent visual field defect and ischemic optic neuropathy associated with tadalafil rechallenge. Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123(3):400-1.
- Peter NM, Singh MV, Fox PD. Tadalafil-associated anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Eye 2005;19(6):715-7.
