Vardenafil: What It Is and How to Use It Safely

Vardenafil is a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction (ED). You may know it as Levitra or the quick-dissolve Staxyn. If you want a pill that often works faster than tadalafil and lasts a few hours, vardenafil is worth learning about. This page gives straight facts you can use tonight or when talking with your doctor.

How vardenafil works, timing, and usual doses

Vardenafil blocks the PDE5 enzyme, which helps blood flow into the penis during sexual arousal. Most people notice effects around 25–60 minutes after taking it. The typical starting doses are 5 mg or 10 mg taken about an hour before sex. Doctors may prescribe up to 20 mg if needed, but starting low helps spot side effects. Staxyn is an orally disintegrating tablet you place on the tongue — handy if swallowing pills is hard.

The effect usually lasts about 4–5 hours. Unlike tadalafil, it's not meant for daily use; it’s taken when needed. Alcohol can lower performance and increase side effects, so keep drinking moderate if you plan to use vardenafil.

Side effects, warnings, and interactions

Common side effects are headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and dizziness. Most are mild and short-lived. Stop and get emergency care if you get a painful erection lasting more than 4 hours (priapism), sudden vision loss, or sudden hearing loss — these are rare but serious.

Do not take vardenafil if you're using nitrates (nitroglycerin, isosorbide) — the combo can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure. Be cautious if you take alpha-blockers for prostate issues or high blood pressure; your doctor should stagger doses. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (certain antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, and some HIV drugs) can boost vardenafil levels — that may mean a lower dose or avoiding it.

Also avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice: they can raise vardenafil levels and increase side effects. If you have heart disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, recent stroke, or severe liver problems, talk with your provider before trying any ED drug.

Thinking about buying online? Use only pharmacies that require a prescription, show a physical address and contact info, and have clear privacy and return policies. If a site sells vardenafil without a prescription or offers huge discounts that look too good, consider it risky. For more on safe online pharmacy tips, check our reviews and guides on trusted vendors.

Want related reading? See our Tadarise (tadalafil) guide to compare duration and dosing, our piece on peptide therapies for emerging ED options, and the article on performance anxiety treatments if nerves are part of the problem. If you're unsure which option fits you, a quick chat with your doctor or a pharmacist will get you the safest plan.