How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient vardenafil, which is a medicine used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence). Vardenafil is called a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, and works by preventing the action of a chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5. An erection is produced via a complex chain of events, involving signals from the nervous system and the release of chemical messengers within the tissues of the penis. One of these chemical messengers is called cyclic GMP. Cyclic GMP causes the blood vessels in the penis to widen by relaxing a thin layer of muscle found in the blood vessel walls. This allows more blood to enter the penis, which ultimately results in the penis becoming rigid and erect. Cyclic GMP is normally broken down by another chemical in the body called phosphodiesterase type 5. Vardenafil works by preventing the action of phosphodiesterase type 5, thus stopping the breakdown of cyclic GMP. This means that the blood vessels are kept dilated for longer, improving blood flow to the penis and maintaining an erection. As vardenafil enhances the actions of the chemical messengers responsible for producing an erection, it will only work once these messengers are present. This means that sexual stimulation is required for it to produce and maintain an erection. The dose should be taken approximately 25 minutes to one hour before intended intercourse, and it may produce an erection in response to sexual stimulation up to five hours after taking the dose.

What is it used for?

Impotence (erectile dysfunction)

Warning!

Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, as it may alter the amount of the medicine in the blood.

This medicine should not be taken more than once a day.

This medicine may cause dizziness and visual disturbances. You should make sure you are aware of your reactions to this medicine before driving or operating machinery.

This medicine may be taken with or without food, but its onset of action may be delayed if it is taken with a meal high in fat.

Use with caution in

Active peptic ulcer

Bleeding disorders

Conditions such as sickle cell disease, bone cancer or leukaemia in which there is an increased risk of prolonged erections (priapism)

Decreased kidney function

Disease involving the heart and blood vessels

Elderly men

Mild to moderately decreased liver function

Physical abnormality of the penis, such as severe curvature, scarring or Peyronie's disease

Not to be used in

Angina not well controlled by medical treatment

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age

Conditions in which sexual activity is not advisable, for example severe heart disorders

Hereditary degeneration of the back of the eyeball (retina)

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

People taking any form of nitrate medications, eg glyceryl trinitrate

People who have had a heart attack in the last six months

People who have had a stroke in the last six months

Severe heart failure

Severe kidney failure requiring dialysis

Severely decreased liver function

Women

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Nausea

Visual disturbances

Indigestion (dyspepsia)

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Increased tension in the muscles

Dizziness

Flushing

Inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis) causing a blocked or runny nose

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Fainting (syncope)

Erectile disturbances (such as spontaneous or painful erections)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Vardenafil must not be taken with any form of nitrate medication, as this combination may potentially produce a severe drop in blood pressure. Nitrate medications include the following: - nicorandil - glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, used for angina or heart failure - amyl nitrate (also known as 'poppers'). Vardenafil should not be taken with other treatments for erectile dysfunction. If you are taking the antibiotic erythromycin you should not take more than 5mg of vardenafil in 24 hours. Men who are older than 75 years of age must not take vardenafil if they are taking any of the following medicines, as these medicines can cause the blood level of vardenafil to rise very high. Younger men taking any of these medicines should also avoid vardenafil: - indinavir - itraconazole - ketoconazole (forms taken by mouth) - ritonavir. Vardenafil is not recommended for men who are taking medicines called alpha-blockers, which are used for high blood pressure or an enlarged prostate gland. This is because the combination may cause a drop in blood pressure that may result in dizziness or fainting in some men. Alpha-blockers include the following: - alfuzosin - doxazosin - indoramin - prazosin - tamsulosin - terazosin.

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