Vardenafil

The active substance Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction ("male impotence"). The drug belongs to the class of so-called phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE inhibitors). When sexually stimulated, vardenafil increases blood flow to the penis, which usually causes an erection.

What is vardenafil?

Vardenafil is taken as a tablet about half an hour to 60 minutes before the intended sexual intercourse. The effects of vardenafil can last up to 12 hours. The substance delays the breakdown of the body's own enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and thus enables an erection or is able to extend the duration of an erection. The medication is not tied to a meal.

The diagnosis of male impotence can only be made by a doctor. The doctor's prescription of Vardenafil is always preceded by a thorough medical history and a thorough medical examination. The doctor will examine the patient's cardiovascular and blood vessel systems thoroughly.

Vardenafil, for example, is on the market under the brand names Levitra®, Staxyn® and Vivanza®.

Pharmacological effect

Vardenafil interferes with the equilibrium of two endogenous substances that control the erection of the penis during sexual stimulation. The substance cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) brings about the erection.

It relaxes the smooth muscles of the erectile tissue so that the blood can flow into the penis more intensely. The second substance, phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), breaks down the cGMP and thus reduces the erection.

As an antagonist of PDE-5, Vardenfil blocks its effect, which in turn prevents the breakdown of the cGMP and results in a lasting erection of the penis.

Medical application & use

Vardenfil is only available on prescription and approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in adult males. Women should never take the active ingredient. The drug must not be used in children and adolescents either.

The starting dose is usually five milligrams, with a maximum of 20 milligrams of the active ingredient per day. Vardenafil should be taken no more than once within 24 hours, and less often with certain pre-existing conditions. The attending physician should be consulted here in any case. In general, Vardenafil must be taken exactly according to the doctor's instructions or the information on the package insert. 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 such a drug generally generate or increase sexual desire. This means that the active ingredient does not automatically lead to an erection.

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Risks & side effects

Everyone reacts differently to taking a drug or a certain active ingredient. In addition to the desired effect, the ingestion of Vardenafil therefore more or less severe side effects result.

The known undesirable side effects of vardenafil include, for example, headache and abdominal pain, nausea or mild diarrhea, heartburn and hot flashes. There are also side effects described that make you think of a cold ("stuffy nose") or flu.

An undesirable side effect to be taken much more seriously is the possibility of visual disturbances, some of which can be massive. In the course of taking vardenafil, reports of drowsiness, ringing in the ears or deafness, hoarseness, fainting, hives and reddened skin, as well as swelling of the throat and tongue (with difficulty swallowing or breathing) and lip swelling have been reported.

Vardenafil must not be taken at the same time as the so-called alpha blockers or vasodilator drugs based on nitro ("nitrates"). Such cases can lead to a severe and life-threatening drop in blood pressure. The use of vardenafil is also not indicated in patients with severe diseases of the cardiovascular system such as angina pectoris, severe heart failure or cardiac arrhythmias.

Stroke and heart attack patients as well as men with severe arterial circulatory disorders should only take the medication after carefully weighing the benefits and risks. Serious liver or kidney disorders rule out taking the active ingredient vardenafil as well as low blood pressure (systolic value less than 90 mmHg) or the presence of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary retinal disease of the eye.