vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor
Licensed use
Erectile dysfunction in adult men
Sexual stimulation
Required for the medicine to work
Food
May be taken with or without food, but a high-fat meal can delay its effect
Driving
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness or abnormal vision occurs
What is vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for:
Treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult men—the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance.
How does vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate work?
Sexual stimulation releases nitric oxide in penile tissue, increasing cyclic GMP and relaxing smooth muscle so blood can enter the penis. Vardenafil blocks PDE5, which breaks down cyclic GMP, supporting this natural response. It has no erectile effect without sexual stimulation.
vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate preparations and strengths
How to take vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate
Follow the prescription and swallow the film-coated tablet with water. It may be taken with or without food, although a heavy or high-fat meal can delay its effect. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Do not combine it with another vardenafil formulation or another erectile-dysfunction treatment unless specifically directed by a prescriber.
Sexual stimulation is still required.
Do not split the selected tablet to obtain equal portions; its line is intended only to make swallowing easier.
Avoid driving or machinery until you know whether it causes dizziness or visual disturbance.
vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Blocked or runny nose
- Indigestion
Get urgent medical advice
- Sudden decrease, loss or marked distortion of vision
- Sudden hearing loss
- Prolonged or painful erection
- Chest pain, fainting or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke
- Severe allergic swelling or breathing difficulty
- Blistering or peeling rash, particularly with mouth, eye or genital sores
vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate in pregnancy
Vardenafil is not licensed for use by women, and there are no studies in pregnant women. Any exposure or proposed non-licensed use during pregnancy requires specialist or prescriber review.
vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate while breastfeeding
Vardenafil is not licensed for use by women, and the selected SmPC provides no breastfeeding evidence. Specialist or prescriber advice is needed if non-licensed use is being considered while breastfeeding.
vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and recreational products before use. Important interactions include:
Nitrates and nitric-oxide donors, including GTN and amyl nitrite ('poppers')
Contraindicated because the combination can cause a dangerous fall in blood pressure.
Nicorandil
Its nitrate component creates a potentially serious blood-pressure interaction.
Riociguat
Contraindicated because it can add to blood-pressure lowering and cause symptomatic hypotension.
Common questions about vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate used for?
It is licensed to treat erectile dysfunction in adult men.
Does vardenafil cause an erection without sexual stimulation?
No. It supports the normal erectile response only when sexual stimulation releases nitric oxide.
Can vardenafil be taken with food?
Yes, but a heavy or high-fat meal may delay its effect.
Can I drink grapefruit juice with vardenafil?
No. Grapefruit can increase vardenafil concentrations and should be avoided.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.