Vardenafil: Effects, Uses & Risks

The active substance vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (“male impotence”). The drug belongs to the class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE inhibitors). When sexually stimulated, vardenafil increases blood flow to the penis, which usually causes an erection.

What is vardenafil?

The active ingredient vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (“male impotence”). Vardenafil is taken as a tablet about half an hour to 60 minutes before intended sexual intercourse. The effect of vardenafil can last up to 12 hours. The substance delays the breakdown of the body’s own enzyme phospodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and thus enables an erection or is able to prolong the duration of an erection. Taking the drug is not linked to a meal. The diagnosis of male impotence can only be made by a doctor. The medical prescription of Vardenafil is always preceded by a thorough medical history and a thorough medical examination. In particular, the doctor will thoroughly examine the patient’s cardiovascular and vascular systems. Vardenafil is on the market, for example, under the brand names Levitra, Staxyn and Vivanza.

Pharmacologic action

Vardenafil interferes with the balance of two substances produced naturally in the body that control penile erection during sexual stimulation. The substance cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) induces the erection. It causes the smooth muscles of the erectile tissue to relax, so that the blood can flow more strongly into the penis. The second substance, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), ensures that cGMP is broken down and thus causes the erection to subside. As the antagonist of PDE-5, Vardenfil blocks its action, which in turn prevents the breakdown of cGMP and results in a sustained penile erection.

Medicinal use and application

Vardenfil is available by prescription and is approved exclusively for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men. Women should not take the drug under any circumstances. The drug should also not be used in children and adolescents. The starting dose is usually five milligrams, with a maximum of 20 milligrams of the active ingredient administered daily. Vardenafil should be taken no more than once within 24 hours, and less frequently in the case of certain pre-existing conditions. In this case, the attending physician should be consulted in any case. In general, Vardenafil should be taken exactly as directed by the doctor or according to the instructions on the package leaflet. Of course, pregnancy cannot be prevented with Vardenafil, nor can infection with a sexually transmitted disease. Vardenafil cannot eliminate the psychological or physiological causes of erectile dysfunction, nor can it be used to generate or increase sexual desire in general. That is, the active ingredient does not automatically lead to an erection.

Risks and side effects

Every person reacts differently to taking a medicine or a particular active ingredient. Therefore, in addition to the desired effect, taking vardenafil can also result in more or less severe side effects. Known unwanted side effects of Vardenafil include, for example, headache, abdominal pain, nausea or mild diarrhea, heartburn, and hot flashes. Side effects reminiscent of a cold (“stuffy nose“) or flu are also described. An undesirable side effect that should be taken much more seriously is the possibility of visual disturbances, some of which can be massive. In the course of taking vardenafil, more or less severe drowsiness, ringing in the ears or deafness, hoarseness, fainting, hives and reddening of the skin as well as swelling of the throat and tongue (with difficulty swallowing or breathing) and swelling of the lips have also been reported. Vardenafil must not be taken at the same time as the so-called alpha-blockers or nitro-based vasodilator drugs (“nitrates”). In such cases, a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure may occur. Also in patients with severe diseases of the cardiovascular system such as angina pectoris, severe myocardial insufficiency or cardiac arrhythmias, the use of vardenafil is not indicated.Stroke and heart attack patients and men with severe arterial circulatory disorders should take the drug only after careful medical consideration of the benefits and risks. Severe liver or kidney dysfunction precludes use of the active ingredient vardenafil, as does low blood pressure (systolic value less than 90 mmHg) or the presence of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary retinal disease of the eye.