Vardenafil 5 mg: Onset of Action and Duration

Because ritonavir prolongs LEVITRA elimination half-life (5 to 6-fold), no more than a single 2.5 mg dose of LEVITRA should be taken in a 72-hour period by patients also taking ritonavir. Patients taking indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin, ketoconazole 400 mg daily, or itraconazole 400 mg daily should not exceed a dose of LEVITRA 2.5 mg once daily.

Interacting Drug	Effect on Vardenafil 5 mg	Recommendations
Nitrates	Severe hypotension risk	Avoid concurrent use
CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir)	Increased Vardenafil levels	Reduce dose or avoid
Alpha-blockers	Potential for hypotension	Use with caution, monitor blood pressure
Grapefruit juice	Increases drug plasma concentration	Limit intake before dosing

For patients taking ketoconazole 200 mg daily or itraconazole 200 mg daily, a single dose of 5 mg LEVITRA should not be exceeded in a 24-hour period (see PRECAUTIONS,Drug Interactions and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for this class of compounds, including vardenafil. In the event that an erection persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance. If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency may result.

What is vardenafil?

Patients should be advised to contact the prescribing physician if new medications that may interact with LEVITRA are prescribed by another healthcare provider. Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision, including permanent loss of vision, that has been reported rarely post-marketing in temporal association with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors. It is not possible to determine whether these events were related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors. Physicians should also discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION in individuals who have already experienced NAION in one eye, including whether such individuals could be adversely affected by use of vasodilators such as PDE5 inhibitors (see POST-MARKETING EXPERIENCE, Ophthalmologic).

What else should I know about vardenafil?

Physicians should advise patients to stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing. These events, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness, have been reported in temporal association to the intake of PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Physicians should discuss with patients the potential cardiac risk of sexual activity for patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. The use of LEVITRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

What are the serious side effects of vardenafil?

Counseling of patients about protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should be considered. Physicians should inform patients that there have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for LEVITRA and this class of compounds. In vitro studies: Studies in human liver microsomes showed that vardenafil is metabolized primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 3A4/5, and to a lesser degree by CYP2C9. Therefore, inhibitors of these enzymes are expected to reduce vardenafil clearance (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Erythromycin (500 mg t.i.d.) produced a 4-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 3-fold increase in Cmax when co-administered with LEVITRA 5 mg in healthy volunteers (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). There are no controlled clinical data on the safety or efficacy of LEVITRA in the following patients; and therefore its use is not recommended until further information is available. unstable angina; hypotension (resting systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg); uncontrolled hypertension (>170/110 mmHg); recent history of stroke, life-threatening arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction (within the last 6 months); severe cardiac failure known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa The evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a determination of potential underlying causes, a medical assessment, and the identification of appropriate treatment. Before prescribing LEVITRA, it is important to note the following: Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers. Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are both vasodilators with blood-pressure lowering effects. When vasodilators are used in combination, an additive effect on blood pressure may be anticipated.

• Vardenafil 5 mg has a success rate of approximately 70-80% in clinical studies.
• It is often prescribed as a first-line treatment for ED.
• The tablet should be taken approximately 60 minutes before sex.
• Patients should avoid alcohol to reduce adverse effects.
• Exercise and dietary modifications can improve treatment outcomes.
• Patients should avoid grapefruit juice which can alter drug levels.
• Notify your doctor if erections last longer than 4 hours.
• Side effects may diminish over time with continued use.
• Use caution when operating machinery or driving.
• The medication is effective for men with diabetes-related ED.
• It is not approved for use in women or children.
• Always prioritize a doctor’s guidance regarding dosage and safety.

In some patients, concomitant use of these two drug classes can lower blood pressure significantly (see PRECAUTIONS,Drug Interactions) leading to symptomatic hypotension (e.g., fainting). Consideration should be given to the following: Patients should be stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating a PDE5 inhibitor.

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Patients who demonstrate hemodynamic instability on alpha-blocker therapy alone are at increased risk of symptomatic hypotension with concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors. In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, PDE5 inhibitors should be initiated at the lowest recommended starting dose (see DOSAGE and ADMINISTRATION).

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Therefore LEVITRA should be administered to these patients after careful benefit-risk assessment. Treatment for erectile dysfunction should generally be used with caution by patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease) or by patients who have conditions that may predispose them to priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia). The safety and efficacy of LEVITRA used in combination with other treatments for erectile dysfunction have not been studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended. Physicians should discuss with patients the contraindication of LEVITRA with regular and/or intermittent use of organic nitrates.

What is vardenafil used for?

Patients should be counseled that concomitant use of LEVITRA with nitrates could cause blood pressure to suddenly drop to an unsafe level, resulting in dizziness, syncope, or even heart attack or stroke. Physicians should inform their patients that in some patients concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, with alpha-blockers can lower blood pressure significantly leading to symptomatic hypotension (e.g., fainting). Patients prescribed LEVITRA who are taking alpha-blockers should be started on the lowest recommended starting dose of LEVITRA (see Drug Interactions and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Patients should be advised of the possible occurrence of symptoms related to postural hypotension and appropriate countermeasures. Patients should be advised to contact the prescribing physician if other anti-hypertensive drugs or new medications that may interact with LEVITRA are prescribed by another healthcare provider.

What should I know about vardenafil before taking it?

Physicians should discuss with patients the appropriate use of LEVITRA and its anticipated benefits. It should be explained that sexual stimulation is required for an erection to occur after taking LEVITRA. LEVITRA should be taken approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. Patients should be counseled regarding the fildena professional 100 dosing of LEVITRA. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider for dose modification if they are not satisfied with the quality of their sexual performance with LEVITRA or in the case of an unwanted effect. In those patients already taking an optimized dose of PDE5 inhibitor, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose.

• Vardenafil 5 mg may require dose adjustment based on response.
• The medication can be combined with lifestyle changes for better results.
• Commonly prescribed for men aged 40-70 years.
• It is safe when used as directed under medical supervision.
• Avoid grapefruit juice while taking Vardenafil 5 mg.
• It can interact with certain antibiotics and antifungals.
• Female partners should also be aware of medication effects.
• The medication’s effectiveness depends on sexual stimulation.
• Do not use Vardenafil 5 mg if you have a recent heart attack.
• Be aware of possible visual disturbances as a side effect.
• Emergency medical attention is needed if an erection lasts over 4 hours.
• Proper hydration can help minimize side effects.

Stepwise increase in alpha-blocker dose may be blue tablets associated with further lowering of blood pressure in patients taking a PDE5 inhibitor. Safety of combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers may be affected by other variables, including intravascular volume depletion and other anti-hypertensive drugs.

What other drugs will affect vardenafil?

In volunteers with moderate impairment (Child-Pugh B), the Cmax and AUC following a 10 mg vardenafil dose were increased 130% and 160%, respectively, compared to healthy control subjects.

What are the differences between vardenafil and tadalafil?

Consequently, a starting dose of 5 mg is recommended for patients with moderate hepatic impairment and the maximum dose should not exceed 10 mg (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Vardenafil has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Congenital or Acquired QT Prolongation: In a study of the effect of LEVITRA on QT interval in 59 healthy males (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Electrophysiology), therapeutic (10 mg) and supratherapeutic (80 mg) doses of LEVITRA and the active control moxifloxacin (400 mg) produced similar increases in QTc interval. A postmarketing study evaluating the effect of combining LEVITRA with another drug of comparable QT effect showed an additive QT effect when compared with either drug alone (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Electrophysiology). These observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing LEVITRA to patients with known history of QT prolongation or patients who are taking medications known to prolong the QT interval. amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or those with congenital QT prolongation, should avoid using LEVITRA. In patients with moderate (CLcr = 30-50 ml/min) to severe (CLcr<30 ml/min) renal impairment, the AUC of vardenafil was 20 – 30% higher compared to that observed in a control group with normal renal function (CLcr>80 ml/min) (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations). Vardenafil pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in patients requiring renal dialysis. General: In humans, vardenafil alone in doses up to 20 mg does not prolong the bleeding time. There is no clinical evidence of any additive prolongation of the bleeding time when vardenafil is administered with aspirin. Vardenafil has not been administered to patients with bleeding disorders or significant active peptic ulceration. Therefore LEVITRA should be administered to these patients after careful benefit-risk assessment. Treatment for erectile dysfunction should generally be used with caution by patients with anatomical deformation of the penis (such as angulation, cavernosal fibrosis, or Peyronie’s disease) or by patients who have conditions that may predispose them to priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia). The safety and efficacy of LEVITRA used in combination with other treatments for erectile dysfunction have not been studied. Therefore, the use of such combinations is not recommended. Physicians should discuss with patients the contraindication of LEVITRA with regular and/or intermittent use of organic nitrates. Patients should be counseled that concomitant use of LEVITRA with nitrates could cause blood pressure to suddenly drop to an unsafe level, resulting in dizziness, syncope, or even heart attack or stroke. Physicians should inform their patients that in some patients concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, with alpha-blockers can lower blood pressure significantly leading to symptomatic hypotension (e.g., fainting).

• Vardenafil 5 mg is available in tablet form for oral use.
• It is important to complete the full course unless advised otherwise.
• The medication’s effect can be delayed or reduced by certain foods.
• Regular medical follow-up enhances safe use.
• Patients should inform the doctor of all medications they are taking.
• Its efficacy can be reduced by smoking or excessive alcohol.
• Use with caution in elderly patients due to increased sensitivity.
• Label instructions should be carefully read before use.
• Over-the-counter use without consultation is discouraged.
• Vardenafil 5 mg does not protect against pregnancy or STDs.
• Maintain a healthy weight to improve medication effectiveness.
• Report any allergic reactions like rash or swelling immediately.

Patients prescribed LEVITRA who are taking alpha-blockers should be started on the lowest recommended starting dose of LEVITRA (see Drug Interactions and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Patients should be advised of the possible occurrence of symptoms related to postural hypotension and appropriate countermeasures. Patients should be advised to contact the prescribing physician if other anti-hypertensive drugs or new medications that may interact with LEVITRA are prescribed by another healthcare provider. Physicians should discuss with patients the appropriate use of LEVITRA and its anticipated benefits.

See also:

It should be explained that sexual stimulation is required for an erection to occur after taking LEVITRA. LEVITRA should be taken approximately 60 minutes before sexual activity. Patients should be counseled regarding the fildena professional 100 dosing of LEVITRA. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider for dose modification if they are not satisfied with the quality of their sexual performance with LEVITRA or in the case of an unwanted effect. Patients should be advised to contact the prescribing physician if new medications that may interact with LEVITRA are prescribed by another healthcare provider. Physicians should advise patients to stop use of all PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and seek medical attention in the event of sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Such an event may be a sign of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a cause of decreased vision, including permanent loss of vision, that has been reported rarely post-marketing in temporal association with the use of all PDE5 inhibitors. It is not possible to determine whether these events were related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors. Physicians should also discuss with patients the increased risk of NAION in individuals who have already experienced NAION in one eye, including whether such individuals could be adversely affected by use of vasodilators such as PDE5 inhibitors (see POST-MARKETING EXPERIENCE, Ophthalmologic). Physicians should advise patients to stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and seek prompt medical attention in the event of sudden decrease or loss of hearing. These events, which may be accompanied by tinnitus and dizziness, have been reported in temporal association to the intake of PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA.

Side Effects

In those patients already taking an optimized dose of PDE5 inhibitor, alpha-blocker therapy should be initiated at the lowest dose. Stepwise increase in alpha-blocker dose may be blue tablets associated with further lowering of blood pressure in patients taking a PDE5 inhibitor. Safety of combined use of PDE5 inhibitors and alpha-blockers may be affected by other variables, including intravascular volume depletion and other anti-hypertensive drugs. In volunteers with moderate impairment (Child-Pugh B), the Cmax and AUC following a 10 mg vardenafil dose were increased 130% and 160%, respectively, compared to healthy control subjects. Consequently, a starting dose of 5 mg is recommended for patients with moderate hepatic impairment and the maximum dose should not exceed 10 mg (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking vardenafil?

Vardenafil has not been evaluated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Congenital or Acquired QT Prolongation: In a study of the effect of LEVITRA on QT interval in 59 healthy males (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Electrophysiology), therapeutic (10 mg) and supratherapeutic (80 mg) doses of LEVITRA and the active control moxifloxacin (400 mg) produced similar increases in QTc interval. A postmarketing study evaluating the effect of combining LEVITRA with another drug of comparable QT effect showed an additive QT effect when compared with either drug alone (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY,Electrophysiology). These observations should be considered in clinical decisions when prescribing LEVITRA to patients with known history of QT prolongation or patients who are taking medications known to prolong the QT interval. amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic medications or those with congenital QT prolongation, should avoid using LEVITRA.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

In patients with moderate (CLcr = 30-50 ml/min) to severe (CLcr<30 ml/min) renal impairment, the AUC of vardenafil was 20 – 30% higher compared to that observed in a control group with normal renal function (CLcr>80 ml/min) (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations). Vardenafil pharmacokinetics have not been evaluated in patients requiring renal dialysis. General: In humans, vardenafil alone in doses up to 20 mg does not prolong the bleeding time. There is no clinical evidence of any additive prolongation of the bleeding time when vardenafil is administered with aspirin. Vardenafil has not been administered to patients with bleeding disorders or significant active peptic ulceration. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to the use of PDE5 inhibitors or to other factors (see ADVERSE REACTIONS). Physicians should discuss with patients the potential cardiac risk of sexual activity for patients with preexisting cardiovascular risk factors. The use of LEVITRA offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Counseling of patients about protective measures necessary to guard against sexually transmitted diseases, including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), should be considered.

Before taking this medicine

Because ritonavir prolongs LEVITRA elimination half-life (5 to 6-fold), no more than a single 2.5 mg dose of LEVITRA should be taken in a 72-hour period by patients also taking ritonavir. Patients taking indinavir, saquinavir, atazanavir or other potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin, ketoconazole 400 mg daily, or itraconazole 400 mg daily should not exceed a dose of LEVITRA 2.5 mg once daily. For patients taking ketoconazole 200 mg daily or itraconazole 200 mg daily, a single dose of 5 mg LEVITRA should not be exceeded in a 24-hour period (see PRECAUTIONS,Drug Interactions and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). There have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for this class of compounds, including vardenafil. In the event that an erection persists longer than 4 hours, the patient should seek immediate medical assistance.

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If priapism is not treated immediately, penile tissue damage and permanent loss of potency may result. There are no controlled clinical data on the safety or efficacy of LEVITRA in the following patients; and therefore its use is not recommended until further information is available. unstable angina; hypotension (resting systolic blood pressure of <90 mmHg); uncontrolled hypertension (>170/110 mmHg); recent history of stroke, life-threatening arrhythmia, or myocardial infarction (within the last 6 months); severe cardiac failure known hereditary degenerative retinal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa The evaluation of erectile dysfunction should include a determination of potential underlying causes, a medical assessment, and the identification of appropriate treatment. Before prescribing LEVITRA, it is important to note the following: Caution is advised when PDE5 inhibitors are co-administered with alpha-blockers. Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents are both vasodilators with blood-pressure lowering effects.

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When vasodilators are used in combination, an additive effect on blood pressure may be anticipated. In some patients, concomitant use of these two drug classes can lower blood pressure significantly (see PRECAUTIONS,Drug Interactions) leading to symptomatic hypotension (e.g., fainting). Consideration should be given to the following: Patients should be stable on alpha-blocker therapy prior to initiating a PDE5 inhibitor. Patients who demonstrate hemodynamic instability on alpha-blocker therapy alone are at increased risk of symptomatic hypotension with concomitant use of PDE5 inhibitors. In those patients who are stable on alpha-blocker therapy, PDE5 inhibitors should be initiated at the lowest recommended starting dose (see DOSAGE and ADMINISTRATION). Physicians should inform patients that there have been rare reports of prolonged erections greater than 4 hours and priapism (painful erections greater than 6 hours in duration) for LEVITRA and this class of compounds. In vitro studies: Studies in human liver microsomes showed that vardenafil is metabolized primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms 3A4/5, and to a lesser degree by CYP2C9. Therefore, inhibitors of these enzymes are expected to reduce vardenafil clearance (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Erythromycin (500 mg t.i.d.) produced a 4-fold increase in vardenafil AUC and a 3-fold increase in Cmax when co-administered with LEVITRA 5 mg in healthy volunteers (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).