What is Vardenafil?
In market research, men identified three things as essential elements of
achieving a satisfactory erection, including:
- The ability to attain an erection
- Erection hardness
- The ability to maintain it for satisfactory sex
Taken together these make up erection quality (EQ).
Many men have been, or will be, concerned with the quality of their erection
at some time in their life. It may be an occasional difficulty in getting or
maintaining an erection; it could be an erection that is just not as hard as it
once was; or it may be a consistent inability to achieve an erection.
It is estimated that over 30 million men in the US have experienced at least
partial erectile dysfunction (ED). You are not alone if you experience a loss of
erectile function.
In clinical trials, Vardenafil reliably improved
erectile function for a majority of men with ED
DATA SHEET - Vardenafil
Disclaimer
The details presented here are for general information. It is not a
substitute for qualified medical advice from your Health Care Specialist
regarding the use, interactions and efficacy of this medication.
The
effects vary from patient to patient and the details provided should be used as
a general guide only.
What is Vardenafil used for?
Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction
(impotence; inability to get or keep an erection) in men. Vardenafil is in a class of medications called phosphodiesterase (PDE)
inhibitors. It works by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual
stimulation. Vardenafil does not cure erectile dysfunction or
increase sexual desire. Vardenafil does not prevent pregnancy
or the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV).
How should Vardenafil?
Vardenafil comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is
usually taken as needed, with or without food, 60 minutes before sexual
activity. Vardenafil usually should not be taken more often
than once every 24 hours. If you have certain health conditions or are taking
certain medications, your doctor may tell you to take Vardenafil less often
What special precautions
should I follow?
Before taking Vardenafil,
- tell your doctor if you are allergic to Vardenafil or any
other medications.
- do not take Vardenafil if you are taking alpha blockers
such as alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress),
tamsulosin (Flomax), and terazosin (Hytrin); or if you are taking or have
recently taken nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordril, Sorbitrate),
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 what other prescription and nonprescription medications,
vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure
to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone); antifungals such as
fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral);
clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine);
delaviradine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); disopyramide
(Norpace); erythromycin (E.E.S. , E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac,
Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir
(Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); medications for
high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat; metronidazole (Flagyl); other
medications or treatments for erectile dysfunction; nefazodone (Serzone);
paroxetine (Paxil); procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl); quinidine (Quinidex);
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.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an erection that lasted more
than 4 hours; a condition that affects the shape of the penis such as
angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie's disease; high or low blood
pressure; irregular heartbeat; a heart attack; angina (chest pain); a stroke;
ulcers in the stomach or intestine; a bleeding disorder; blood cell problems
such as sickle cell anemia (a disease of the red blood cells), multiple myeloma
(cancer of the plasma cells), or leukemia (cancer of the white blood cells); and
liver, kidney, or heart disease. Also tell your doctor if you or any of your
family members have or have ever had retinitis pigmentosis (an eye disease) or
long QT syndrome (a heart condition). Tell your doctor if you have ever been
advised by a health care professional to avoid sexual activity for medical
reasons.
- you should know that Vardenafil is only for use in males.
Women should not take Vardenafil, especially if they are or
could become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If a pregnant woman takes Vardenafil, she should call her doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery or any dental procedure,
tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Vardenafil
What special dietary instructions should I
follow?
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this
medicine.
What side effects can this medication
cause?
Vardenafil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any
of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- headache
- upset stomach
- heartburn
- bloating
- burping
- dizziness
- flushing
- stuffy or runny nose
- flu-like symptoms
Some side effects can be serious. The following
symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor
immediately:
- erection that lasts longer than 4 hours
- vision changes (seeing blue tinge on objects; difficulty telling the
difference between blue and green; or difficulty seeing at night)
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
- hoarseness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- blurred vision
- fainting
- hives
- rash
Vardenafil may cause other side effects.
Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this
medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of
reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and
moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no
longer needed.
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