About vardenafil

Erectile dysfunction (sometimes called impotence) means that you cannot get or maintain a proper erection. There are several causes, the most common being due to a narrowing of the arteries that take blood to the penis.

Vardenafil works by preventing the action of a chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5. This helps to relax (widen) blood vessels and improves the flow of blood. In erectile dysfunction, vardenafil improves the blood flow to the penis following sexual stimulation, and this helps to maintain an erection.

Vardenafil is available on prescription but it is only prescribed on the NHS under certain circumstances.

Before taking vardenafil

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking vardenafil it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you have any disease, injury or deformity of your penis.
• If you have heart or blood vessel disease.
• If you have a condition which causes bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer.
• If you have had an eye condition causing loss of vision.
• If you have low blood pressure or angina.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you have had a stroke or a heart attack.
• If you have sickle cell disease.
• If you have ever had bone marrow cancer or leukaemia.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines. It is important that your doctor knows if you are using a medicine prescribed for angina pain, or if you are using a 'nitrite' drug (such as in the recreational drug known as 'poppers').
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take vardenafil

• Before you take vardenafil, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the tablets, and also a full list of the side-effects you may experience.
• Take vardenafil exactly as your doctor has told you. You should take one tablet 25-60 minutes before you plan to have sex. You can take the tablet before or after food but, if you have just eaten a large or high-fat meal, it will take longer for it to work.
• If you have been given orodispersible tablets, place one tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve before you swallow. Do not take the tablet with anything to drink.
• Do not take vardenafil more frequently than once a day.

Getting the most from your treatment

• You and your partner will still need to engage in foreplay, just as you would if you were not taking a medicine for erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil will not cause an erection unless you are sexually aroused.
• Do not drink large amounts of alcohol with vardenafil. Drinking too much alcohol can reduce your ability to get an erection and this may prevent you from getting the maximum benefit from these tablets.
• Do not drink grapefruit juice with vardenafil. This is because a chemical in grapefruit juice increases the amount of vardenafil in your bloodstream. This makes side-effects more likely.
• If you feel the tablets are too strong for you, discuss this with your doctor, as your dose may need to be reduced.
• If you do not get an erection after taking vardenafil, or if it does not last long enough for you to have sex, discuss this with your doctor. Do not take more tablets than you have been told to.
• You should not take vardenafil if you are using any other products or taking any other medicines to treat erectile dysfunction.

Can vardenafil cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you get chest pains or suddenly have loss of vision, contact your doctor for medical attention straightaway.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store vardenafil

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines