Vardenafil (generic Levitra)
"An effective erectile dysfunction treatment for men with diabetes. Contains the same active ingredient as ED medication Levitra, for firmer and longer-lasting erections when you’re aroused."
What is vardenafil?
Vardenafil is an effective erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment for men who have diabetes. It’s the active ingredient in branded ED medication Levitra.
How does it work?
Vardenafil tablets increase blood flow to the penis to help to give you a firmer, longer-lasting erection when you’re sexually aroused. The effects can last for up to 5 hours.
Like all erectile dysfunction treatments, vardenafil won’t resolve any underlying physical cause of your ED or increase the intensity of sexual desire.
How to use vardenafil
Take one tablet between 30 minutes and an hour before having sex. Vardenafil works best on an empty stomach or after eating a light meal. It also becomes less effective when you drink alcohol.
Don’t combine vardenafil with other ED medications and never take more than one tablet inside 24 hours.
Treatment results
10mg of vardenafil is effective for up to 87% of men, and most find it works faster than other erectile dysfunction treatments. However, eating a fatty meal or drinking more than 1-2 units of alcohol can make vardenafil less effective.
Before you consider a higher dose or look at other options, we recommend you try an ED treatment on at least eight separate occasions.
Side effects of vardenafil
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking vardenafil. These include facial flushing, headache, light-headedness, nasal or sinus congestion, indigestion, a racing heartbeat (palpitations), and blurred vision.
If you experience a sudden decrease or loss of vision, speak to your doctor or call 111 straight away.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the vardenafil patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, please contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
Suitable for diabetics
Lasts for up to 5 hours
Works for up to 87% of men
What is vardenafil?
Vardenafil is an effective erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment for men who have diabetes. It’s the active ingredient in branded ED medication Levitra.
How does it work?
Vardenafil tablets increase blood flow to the penis to help to give you a firmer, longer-lasting erection when you’re sexually aroused. The effects can last for up to 5 hours.
Like all erectile dysfunction treatments, vardenafil won’t resolve any underlying physical cause of your ED or increase the intensity of sexual desire.
How to use vardenafil
Take one tablet between 30 minutes and an hour before having sex. Vardenafil works best on an empty stomach or after eating a light meal. It also becomes less effective when you drink alcohol.
Don’t combine vardenafil with other ED medications and never take more than one tablet inside 24 hours.
Treatment results
10mg of vardenafil is effective for up to 87% of men, and most find it works faster than other erectile dysfunction treatments. However, eating a fatty meal or drinking more than 1-2 units of alcohol can make vardenafil less effective.
Before you consider a higher dose or look at other options, we recommend you try an ED treatment on at least eight separate occasions.
Side effects of vardenafil
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking vardenafil. These include facial flushing, headache, light-headedness, nasal or sinus congestion, indigestion, a racing heartbeat (palpitations), and blurred vision.
If you experience a sudden decrease or loss of vision, speak to your doctor or call 111 straight away.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the vardenafil patient information leaflet. And if you’re worried about side effects, please contact us in your Patient Record.
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Vardenafil (generic Levitra) FAQs
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How long does vardenafil take to work?
Vardenafil should start to work inside 60 minutes.
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How long does vardenafil last?
The effects of this medication can last for up to 5 hours.
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Vardenafil dosages
The standard vardenafil dose is 10mg. A lower (5mg) or higher dose (20mg) may suit you better, depending on your age, height, weight, and the cause or severity of your ED. The dosage doesn’t affect how quickly the treatment works or how long it lasts.
Taking a higher dose can increase your chance of experiencing side effects.
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Where can I buy vardenafil?
You can get vardenafil on prescription through your GP or an online doctor service.
Our online service includes a confidential consultation where we’ll make sure vardenafil is right for your needs before we prescribe it.
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Can I buy vardenafil over the counter?
You can’t currently get vardenafil over the counter, but you can buy Viagra Connect, another popular ED medication. It’s available online and in pharmacies, you’ll be asked a set of questions to make sure the treatment is right for you.
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What to do if I get vardenafil side effects
Please talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects from taking vardenafil. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the patient information leaflet.
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Vardenafil warnings
Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist before taking vardenafil if any of the following could apply to you:
- You have a heart problem (it may be risky to have sexual intercourse).
- You suffer from irregular heart beat (cardiac arrhythmia) or inherited heart diseases affecting your electrocardiogram.
- You have a physical condition that affects the shape of your penis such as angulation, Peyronie’s disease or cavernosal fibrosis.
- You have an illness that can cause erections which won’t go away (priapism). This can happen if you have a condition like leukaemia, sickle cell disease or multiple myeloma.
- You have stomach ulcers, also called gastric or peptic ulcers.
- You have a bleeding disorder, for example, haemophilia.
- You’re using any other treatments for erection difficulties, including vardenafil orodispersible tablets.
If you experience a sudden decrease or loss of vision, please contact your doctor immediately or call 111 and stop taking vardenafil.
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Vardenafil drug interactions
It’s not safe to take vardenafil if you’re already taking certain other medications. These include:
- Alpha-blockers like doxazosin or tamsulosin
- Nicorandil or nitrates, such as GTN spray
- Isosorbide mononitrate tablets, which are used to treat angina
Before you consider a higher dose or look at other options, we recommend you try an ED treatment on at least eight separate occasions.
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Alternative vardenafil treatments
There are a range of approaches to treating ED. For instance, making certain lifestyle changes or looking into psychological causes through counselling.
If vardenafil doesn't work for you, please contact us in your Patient Record so we can discuss your other options.
See our full range of ED treatments.
