Details

Vardenafil relaxes muscles of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body. Vardenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). To make sure vardenafil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, heart rhythm problems a recent history (in the past 6 months) of a heart attack, stroke, or congestive heart failure a personal or family history of long QT syndrome high or low blood pressure seizures liver disease, kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anaemia, multiple myeloma, or leukaemia a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia a stomach ulcer hearing or vision problems, history of vision loss an eye disorder such as retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye) a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie's disease) or if you have been told you should not have sexual intercourse for health reasons. Vardenafil can decrease blood flow to the optic nerve of the eye, causing sudden vision loss. This has occurred in a small number of people taking Viagra or other drugs similar to vardenafil.

Typical Uses

Vardenafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction-ED). In combination with sexual stimulation, vardenafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection. This drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhoea, syphilis).

Side Effects

Common vardenafil side effects may include vision changes ringing in your ears, or sudden hearing loss heart attack symptoms-chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating irregular heartbeat swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet shortness of breath a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer or seizure (convulsions).

Drug Interactions

• Vardenafil+amiodarone- Talk to your doctor before using amiodarone together with vardenafil. Combining these drugs can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, or fast or pounding heartbeats during treatment with these drugs, whether together or alone.
• Vardenafil+boceprevir- Talk to your doctor before using vardenafil together with boceprevir. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of vardenafil. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Vardenafil+clozapine- Using clozapine together with vardenafil can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Vardenafil+erythromycin- Talk to your doctor before using vardenafil together with erythromycin. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels and effects of vardenafil. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Vardenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Erection of the penis is initiated by the relaxation of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum, one of a pair of sponge-like regions in the penis. When aroused, nitric oxide is released from nerve endings and endothelial cells in the corpus cavernosum. Nitric oxide activates the enzyme guanylate cyclase resulting in increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum. The cGMP triggers smooth muscle relaxation, increasing blood flow into the penis, resulting in erection.

Pregnancy Category : B