Vardenafil

Vardenafil is an oral drug that is used to treat impotence (the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection.). It is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is similar to sildenafil (Viagra).

Vardenafil Uses

Vardenafil acts in the same way as Viagra. Vardenafil blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase-5, or PDE-5. This helps the smooth muscles in the penis relax and widen, which allows for more blood to enter. As a result, you gain erections faster and easier with Vardenafil. There is currently no direct evidence to compare the effectiveness of treatments such as Vardenafil, against others such as Viagra and Uprima. However, findings do indicate that Vardenafil may be especially effective in treating specific types of ED, such as ED resulting from prostate surgery. . In clinical trials, Vardenafil was shown to work quickly as early as 16 minutes. More importantly, Levitra was shown to improve the sexual response for the majority of men the first time they took it, and it worked consistently over time.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking vardenafil:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to vardenafil or any other medications.
• do not take vardenafil if you are taking or have recently taken nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO), and nitroglycerin (Nitro-BID, Nitro-Dur, Nitroquick, Nitrostat, others). Nitrates come as tablets, sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, sprays, patches, pastes, and ointments. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medications contain nitrates.
• do not take street drugs containing nitrates such as amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate ('poppers') while taking vardenafil.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alpha blockers such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), and terazosin (Hytrin); amiodarone (Cordarone); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Gris-PEG), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); aprepitant (Emend);carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); disopyramide (Norpace); efavirenz (Sustiva); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors including atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra),nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); lovastatin (Altocor, Mevacor); medications for high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat; metronidazole (Flagyl); nevirapine (Viramune); other medications or treatments for erectile dysfunction; nefazodone (Serzone); paroxetine (Paxil); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek);procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (Quinidex); rifabutin (Mycobutin); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate); sertraline (Zoloft); sotalol (Betapace); troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate).Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Dose forms

It is available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses in round orange tablets. The normal starting dose is 10 mg (roughly equivalent to 50 mg of sildenafil). Vardenafil should be taken 1 to 2 hours prior to sexual activity, with a maximum dose frequency of once per day. In some territories, such as the UK, only certain doses may be available, i.e. 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others, since they may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug, or they may have a condition that is complicated by this drug.