Know all Vardenafil interactions here
Are you an ED patient who was prescribed Vardenafil by the doctor? If yes, before taking it, you must know the interactions of this drug. Your doctor may prescribe it after understanding all your medical status. Still, you need to know what medicines and foods to be avoided with it.
The combination of Vardenafil with other medicines and foods can be harmful. Hence, avoid using it in any case. Please inform your doctor all about your medicines and diseases before taking them. Come on, let's grab more details on its interaction. Let's get started.
What is Vardenafil?
It is the most common ingredient found in ED medications. It belongs to a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. Vardenafil is hence used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. Taking this ED pill an hour before sexual activity will help you get a hard erection under sexual stimulation. It is a state where men are unable to achieve the erection required for sexual indulging.
It helps in increasing the blood flow in the penis by widening the blood vessels. The interaction of ED medications with other medicines can lower blood pressure levels. It is not intended for use in women and children.
Drug Interactions for Vardenafil
These are some of the interactions of Vardenafil pills. Hence, avoid taking it and also let your doctor know.
Alpha-blockers medicines
Alpha-blocker medicines are used for the treatment of enlarged prostate. Also, in some cases, it is used as a blood pressure medicine. Some examples of alpha-blockers are Tamsulosin, Prazosin, Doxazosin, and many more.
When these medicines are taken with Vardenafil, it interacts and lowers the blood pressure too much. Also, it can make you feel dizzy and faint. Let your doctor know if you consume alpha-blocker medicines. They will adjust your dosage.
Antibiotics and antifungals
From the name, it is clear that antifungals and antibiotics are used for fungal and bacterial infections in the body. Some popular antibiotics and antifungal medicines are Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Clarithromycin, and many others.
When taken with Vardenafil, its levels can be raised. Hence, it can lead to specific side effects. Both of its combinations can make medicine ineffective. Therefore, consult a healthcare professional and get your dosage adjusted with antibiotics.
Nitrate medicines
Nitrate-containing medicines are used in the treatment of angina and chest pain. Some popular nitrates are nitroglycerin, isosorbide nitrates, isosorbide dinitrate, mononitrate, and more. Also, nitrates are present in some recreational drugs like "poppers." When nitrate medicines are taken with Vardenafil, it opens the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
The combination lowers the BP and can drop, which can also cause dangerous levels. Hence, it can even lead to fainting and dizziness. Let your doctor know about what nitrate medicines you consume. They will help you manage the situation by adjusting your Vardenafil dosage.
Blood pressure mixtures
BP medications are used to reduce high blood pressure to normal levels. Some popular BP medicines include Lisinopril, Ramipril, enalapril, and more. So, when Vardenafil is combined with this blood pressure medicine, it lowers BP levels to a great extent.
It can cause unwanted side effects in the body. You may feel dizzy and fainting when both medicines are taken together. So, consult a healthcare professional and discuss both conditions. Also, let them know about the BP medicines you are taking.
Cobicistat medicines
Cobicistat medicines are usually combined with other HIV medicines. It is used with other medicines to boost their levels. Examples of cobicistat medicines include Symtuza, Prezcobix, Evotaz, Stribild, Genvoya, and many more.
Similar to other medications, it also increases the levels of Vardenafil. Hence, the chances of side effects become high. Report all side effects you are experiencing with the above combination and inform your healthcare provider.
Ritonavir medicines
Ritonavir medicine is mainly used in the treatment of HIV or AIDS. Some ritonavir containing medicines are Kaletra, Paxlovid and more. It affects the levels of Vardenafil in the body. Ritonavir-containing medicines break down the action of liver enzymes.
Hence, the Vardenafil levels increase in blood when combined with HIV medicines. The most experienced side effects of the combination are flushing and headache. When taking Ritonavir, don't consume more than 2.5 mg of Vardenafil in 3 days. Also, note that taking Vardenafil may not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, so seek other protective methods to prevent the risk of STDs.
Disease Interactions for Vardenafil:
Using Vardenafil tablets under certain Medical conditions can be unsafe and may harm health. So, If you suffer from health issues, inform your doctor before taking Vardenafil. It might interact with:
- Peyronie's disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Multiple myeloma
- High or low blood pressure problem
- Sickle cell anemia
- Deformity of the penis due to any injury or surgery of the genital region
- Liver disease
- Had a heart attack or stroke in the past six months
- Kidney disease
- Active peptic ulcer disorder
- Bleeding disorders
- Retinitis pigmentosa
Food Interactions with Vardenafil
Grapefruits or Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit and its juices can break down the effect of liver enzymes. Hence, when you regularly consume grapefruits or its juices, the liver enzymes fail to perform accordingly.
It is not advised to stop grapefruit
intake. Otherwise, you limit the intake amount. You can try other juices, including orange or apple juices. Discuss with your doctor if you love taking grapefruit products.
Alcohol
Alcohol should not be taken regularly when you are prescribed to take Vardenafil. If you do so, the side effects may worsen with time. It reduces the effectiveness of the medicine and drops blood pressure to dangerous levels.
If you take it excessively, try limiting the consumption amount. Also, healthcare professionals should be informed about it. Let them know the quantity honestly you intake. They will provide you with the best tips.
High-fat Meals
Taking high-fat-rich meals before taking the Vardenafil tablet can delay the rate of absorption. It may take this medication longer to kick in, so take it on an empty stomach. Or eat a light meal before taking it.
Vardenafil Side Effects Due to Interactions
Interactions with certain medicines and substances might increase the risk of possible side effects of Vardenafil. In a few cases, using Vardenafil in some people may cause unwanted effects on their bodies. It may lead to:
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Stomach ache
- Muscle pain
- Painful or prolonged erection
- A sudden decrease in hearing
- Sudden hearing loss
- Irregular heartbeat
- Blurred vision or other vision problems
- Allergic reactions
- unusual or allergic reaction to Vardenafil or any other PDE5 inhibitors
The chances of getting these side effects are rare, but interactions with other drugs might increase this risk. Before using this medication, seek medical advice about side effects and all the possible of this ED drug. It will help you to effectively manage them once you suspect any unwanted impact on your body. Seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center if you suspect an interaction.
Final words
So, when you are using Vardenafil, make sure to remember all its interactions to avoid side effects worsening. Once you know all, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all such medicines you take.
The Vardenafil(Levitra) interaction with nitrates can lower blood pressure levels and cause specific side effects. So, inform the doctor all about it and get your dose adjusted today itself.
