Vardenafil (Generic Levitra)

Vardenafil works similarly to sildenafil, with a 4- to 6-hour duration, but has a different chemical structure that makes it more effective for some men. It works faster (15 to 30 minutes versus 30 to 60 for sildenafil) and may cause fewer visual disturbances. Duration falls between sildenafil and tadalafil. Studies suggest vardenafil may work better for men with diabetes or following prostate surgery due to its higher selectivity for PDE5 enzymes in erectile tissue. Many men who don’t respond optimally to sildenafil find vardenafil more effective.

The medication typically begins working within 15 to 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest-acting ED medications. Peak effectiveness occurs around 30 to 60 minutes after dosing. Some men notice effects within 10 to 15 minutes, though full effectiveness takes longer. Taking the medication on an empty stomach provides the fastest onset. High-fat meals may delay absorption by 30 to 60 minutes. For optimal results, most men take vardenafil 30 to 45 minutes before planned activity.

The medication doses typically range from 5mg to 20mg, with 10mg being the standard starting dose. This ED treatment is more potent per milligram than sildenafil. 10mg vardenafil is roughly equivalent to 50mg sildenafil in effect. Some men respond well to 5mg while others need 20mg for optimal effectiveness. We start with an appropriate dose based on your health profile and adjust based on response and tolerability. Our compounded 20mg formulation can be adjusted if needed.

Common side effects include headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, indigestion, and dizziness. The medication may cause fewer visual disturbances than sildenafil but slightly more nasal congestion in some men. Back pain is less common with this ED treatment than with tadalafil. Serious but rare side effects include priapism (prolonged erection over 4 hours requiring immediate medical care), sudden vision loss, or sudden hearing loss. Most men tolerate the medication well, with side effects typically mild and decreasing over time.

Some studies suggest the medication may be particularly effective for men with diabetes-related erectile dysfunction due to its high selectivity for PDE5 and rapid onset. Diabetes causes vascular and nerve damage affecting erectile function, but vardenafil’s pharmacologic profile may overcome some of these issues better than other PDE5 inhibitors. Response rates in diabetic men are good, though slightly lower than in non-diabetic men. Optimal blood sugar control improves effectiveness. Combining ED treatment with diabetes management provides the best results.

Consider this ED treatment if sildenafil didn’t work well for you, you experienced unacceptable side effects from sildenafil (particularly visual changes), you have diabetes or have had prostate surgery, you want a faster onset than sildenafil, or you prefer the vardenafil effect profile. Many men find that this medication’s effects feel more natural or predictable than sildenafil. There’s no universal best PDE5 inhibitor. Individual response varies. We help you find the medication that works best for your specific situation.

This treatment interacts with certain blood pressure medications. Most critically, nitrates like nitroglycerin are contraindicated and can cause dangerous blood pressure drops. Alpha-blockers used for prostate symptoms or blood pressure require careful dose timing and adjustment. Vardenafil should typically be taken at least 6 hours apart from alpha-blocker dosing, and lower starting doses may be needed. Some men cannot safely combine this treatment with certain alpha-blockers. We screen for these interactions during consultation.

Yes, though food affects absorption. Taking this medication on an empty stomach provides the fastest onset (15 to 30 minutes). High-fat meals can delay absorption by 30 to 60 minutes, but they don’t entirely block effectiveness. Moderate meals have less impact. If you’re planning dinner followed by intimacy, take the medication before or early in the meal rather than after. Vardenafil is less affected by food than sildenafil but more affected than tadalafil.

Yes. The generic compounded version contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Levitra and is equally effective when properly manufactured. Our compounded medication is prepared by FDA-registered pharmacies in accordance with USP quality standards. The active pharmaceutical ingredient is identical. The difference is in price. Compounded medication offers significant savings compared to brand-name Levitra, as low as $3.25 per dose versus $50+ for brand-name, while providing equivalent effectiveness.

If both sildenafil and vardenafil have been underwhelming, there are still options. Tadalafil works differently and lasts longer, which helps some men. Combining approaches (using lower doses of two medications) sometimes works when single medications don’t. Trimix injections bypass oral absorption entirely and work for 85 to 90% of men even when pills fail. And if the issue is desire rather than function, PT-141 addresses that pathway. We don’t give up after one or two failed attempts.