Vardenafil MedFacts

Vardenafil

Vardenafil is used for:

Treating erectile dysfunction (ED).

Vardenafil is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. It works by helping to increase blood flow into the penis during sexual stimulation. This helps you to achieve and maintain an erection.

Do NOT use Vardenafil if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Vardenafil
• you have been advised by your doctor to avoid sexual activity because of heart problems
• you have certain heart problems (eg, unstable angina, severe heart failure), low blood pressure, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• you have certain hereditary degenerative eye problems (eg, retinitis pigmentosa)
• you have severe liver problems or severe kidney problems that require dialysis
• you have had a heart attack, stroke, or life-threatening irregular heartbeat within the past 6 months
• you are taking nitrates (eg, isosorbide, nitroglycerin) in any form (eg, tablet, capsule, patch, ointment), nitroprusside, or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, amiodarone)
• you use certain recreational drugs called "poppers" (eg, amyl nitrate, butyl nitrate)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Vardenafil

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Vardenafil . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a deformed penis (eg, Peyronie disease, cavernosal fibrosis), blood problems (eg, sickle cell anemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma), or any other condition that may increase the risk of a prolonged erection (priapism)
• if you have a history of certain eye problems (eg, sudden vision loss, optic neuropathy, macular degeneration)
• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, high or low blood pressure, ulcers, bleeding problems, blood vessel problems, or heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis, angina)
• if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, a certain type of irregular heartbeat (long QT syndrome), or a family history of long QT syndrome

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Vardenafil . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Alpha-blockers (eg, doxazosin), medicines for high blood pressure, nitrates (eg, isosorbide, nitroglycerin), or nitroprusside because severe low blood pressure with dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting may occur
• Certain antiarrhythmics (eg, quinidine, amiodarone) because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Azole antifungals (eg, itraconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), or telithromycin because they may increase the risk of Vardenafil 's side effects
• Rifampin because it may decrease Vardenafil 's effectiveness

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Vardenafil may interact with other medicines you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Vardenafil Usage Guidelines

You should use Vardenafil as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Vardenafil . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Vardenafil by mouth with or without food.
• Take Vardenafil about 1 hour before sexual activity.
• Do not take Vardenafil more often than once daily, or as directed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose of Vardenafil and you still intend to engage in sexual activity, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Vardenafil .

Important safety information on vardenafil

• Vardenafil may cause dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, or blurred vision. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Vardenafil with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Vardenafil may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Patients with heart problems who take Vardenafil may be at increased risk for heart-related side effects, including heart attack or stroke. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest, shoulder, neck, or jaw pain; numbness of an arm or leg; severe dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes. Symptoms of a stroke may include confusion; vision or speech changes; one-sided weakness; or fainting. Contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away if you experience these symptoms.
• Vardenafil may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.
• Vardenafil may uncommonly cause mild, temporary vision changes (eg, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, blue/green color tint to vision). Contact your doctor if vision changes persist or are severe.
• Do not use other medicines or treatments for erectile dysfunction while you are taking Vardenafil .
• Vardenafil does not stop the spread of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) to others through sexual contact. Use barrier methods of birth control (eg, condoms) if you have HIV infection or an STD.
• This medicine will not prevent pregnancy. If your partner may become pregnant and you wish to avoid pregnancy, be sure to use an effective form of birth control.
• Use Vardenafil with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Vardenafil is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Vardenafil is not approved for use in women. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Vardenafil while you are pregnant. It is not known if Vardenafil is found in breast milk. If you are breast-feeding or going to breast-feed, discuss with your doctor any possible risks to your baby.

Side effects may be caused by Vardenafil

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Dizziness; flushing; headache; heartburn; stuffy or runny nose; upset stomach.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back or muscle pain; chest pain; fainting; prolonged, painful erection; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent vision changes; sudden hearing loss.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include back or muscle pain; chest pain; fainting; prolonged erection; severe dizziness; severe or persistent vision changes.

Vardenafil storage instructions:

Store Vardenafil at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Vardenafil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Vardenafil , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Vardenafil is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Vardenafil . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.