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Vardenafil is a prescription tablet for erectile dysfunction, authorised across the EU since 2003. It works the same way as sildenafil and tadalafil — keeping the blood vessels in the penis relaxed so blood can flow in during sexual arousal — and it must never be taken with nitrate heart medicines.
Active ingredient: vardenafil · Dosages: 5 / 10 / 20 mg, taken on demand · Authorised in the EU since 6 March 2003

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What it is

A PDE5-inhibitor tablet for adult men with erectile dysfunction — either film-coated or a melt-in-the-mouth (orodispersible) formulation. Sexual stimulation is still required for it to work.

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How it works

Arousal releases nitric oxide

Sexual stimulation makes nerves and blood-vessel linings in the penis release nitric oxide. This switches on an enzyme called guanylate cyclase, which builds up a messenger chemical called cyclic GMP inside the smooth muscle of the erectile tissue.

Cyclic GMP opens the blood flow

Cyclic GMP relaxes that smooth muscle, so the arteries widen and blood flows into the corpus cavernosum — the two spongy chambers that run along the penis. That inflow produces an erection. The body then steadily breaks the cyclic GMP down again.

Vardenafil blocks the clean-up enzyme

Vardenafil blocks the PDE5 enzyme that normally ends an erection, so the blood vessels stay relaxed and fill with blood in response to stimulation. Onset is around 25 minutes, and the effect lasts about 5 hours.

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What the studies reported

A single 12-week manufacturer-sponsored trial in a mixed erectile-dysfunction population measured IIEF question-level changes — small point movements on a 5-point scale, not percentages.
The EU marketing authorisation (Levitra EPAR, sections 4.2, 4.8 and 5.1) reports fixed-dose efficacy on two standard endpoints over three months:

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What has been reported

Vardenafil is contraindicated in men who have already lost vision in one eye from NAION, and in men with severe cardiovascular disease. It must never be combined with nitrate medicines or nitric-oxide donors — blood pressure can fall dangerously.

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How to take it

Timing

The usual starting dose for film-coated tablets is 10 mg, taken 25–60 minutes before sexual activity; the prescriber may select 5 mg or 20 mg based on response and tolerance. At most one dose in 24 hours.

Food

Light meals do not affect it significantly. A very fatty meal can delay onset of the film-coated tablet.

Formulation and medicines

Film-coated and orodispersible tablets are not interchangeable dose for dose. Never combine vardenafil with nitrates, nitric-oxide donors, riociguat, or another erectile-dysfunction medicine.
Before each dose, check that no new heart, chest-pain, blood-pressure, rhythm, prostate, antifungal, antibiotic or HIV medicine changes the plan. Vardenafil can lower blood pressure and carries specific precautions for QT prolongation and rhythm medicines — seek advice rather than taking another dose if you faint or have palpitations. Avoid excess alcohol, because it can worsen dizziness and erectile difficulty. Do not increase the dose yourself after one unsuccessful attempt — review the pattern with the prescriber instead.

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Contact your doctor if

  • An erection lasting 4 hours or longer, sudden loss of vision or hearing, chest pain, collapse, or a severe allergic reaction — seek urgent care
  • Marked dizziness, fainting, palpitations, or a headache that is severe or persistent
  • The prescribed dose is not suitable, or does not give a satisfactory response after several correctly timed attempts

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Storage

Keep in the original package, away from moisture and direct heat, and out of children’s reach. Follow the temperature limit on your pack and do not use it after the expiry date.

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Common questions

Onset is around 25 to 60 minutes for film-coated tablets. The effect lasts about 5 hours. Sexual stimulation is still required for it to work.
Avoid excess alcohol because it can worsen dizziness and erectile difficulty. The EU product information advises moderation.
Film-coated and orodispersible tablets are not interchangeable dose for dose. The orodispersible version dissolves on the tongue and does not need water. Check which formulation you have and follow its specific instructions.
Visual disturbance, ocular hyperaemia and colour distortion are listed as uncommon in the EU product information. Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is reported at a frequency that is not known. Vardenafil is contraindicated in men who have already lost vision in one eye from NAION.
Vardenafil can lower blood pressure and carries specific precautions for QT prolongation and rhythm medicines. Before each dose, check that no new heart, chest-pain, blood-pressure, rhythm, prostate, antifungal, antibiotic or HIV medicine changes the plan. Never combine with nitrates.
Yes. Vardenafil has been authorised across the EU since 6 March 2003 (Levitra EPAR, EMEA/H/C/000475), so a licensed doctor can prescribe it when clinically appropriate.

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How Hi-Doctor handles it

An EU-licensed doctor reviews your case and, if eligible, issues an electronic prescription valid at any EU pharmacy under Directive 2011/24/EU. See how a consultation works, the treatment areas Hi-Doctor covers, and pricing.

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Further reading

The site’s own patient guide covers dose scheduling and what to watch for day to day: Vardenafil guide.

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Sources

  • EMA EPAR — Levitra (vardenafil), EMEA/H/C/000475, marketing authorisation issued 06/03/2003
  • EMA — Levitra EPAR product information (SmPC sections 4.2, 4.8, 5.1)
  • Int J Impot Res 2001 — First at-home clinical trial of vardenafil (PMID 11494074)
  • J Androl 2002 — Vardenafil for treatment of men with erectile dysfunction: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (PMID 12399521)

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Start a consultation

Sexual health consultation

Answer the sexual health questionnaire and a registered doctor reviews it. They decide whether treatment is appropriate, which one, and at what dose — and declining is a normal outcome. See what it costs and how the review works.
This page is reference information, not medical advice and not a prescription. Whether a medicine is appropriate for you is decided by a registered doctor after reviewing your consultation.