Erectile dysfunction is a hot topic these days, with just under 50% of Canadian men suffering from the issue. There are many options available to address this issue.
If you’re taking or considering taking Vardenafil, you should be aware of any potential Vardenafil drug interactions. That will help you stay safe and healthy.
So, are you ready to learn about Vardenafil interactions? Keep reading this guide to medication interactions so that you know what to expect.
Remember to talk to your doctor before taking any ED medications. Some of the interactions might be extremely harmful to your health.
We’ve put together a table of contents to help you navigate your way through this guide to Verdenafil drug interactions. Check it out below.
Table of contents
What is Vardenafil?
Before we dive right into talking about potential drug interactions when taking Vardenafil, let’s discuss what this drug actually is. Vardenafil is a medication that helps increase blood flow.
Penile erection happens when the penis becomes engorged with blood. As a result, Vardenafil is most commonly used to combat erectile dysfunction. It helps boost blood flow to the penis and makes it easier for blood vessels to expand.
During the erection process, the body also produces cyclic guanosine monophosphate or cGMP. This substance is what helps increase and decrease the blood vessels in the penis and allows men to have an erection.
Vardenafil, AKA generic Levitra, stops an enzyme in the body called phosphodiesterase-5 from being released. Phosphodiesterase-5 limits the production of cGMP and hinders erections.
Because of this interaction and the effects that Vardenafil has on it, Levitra is classed as a PDE-5 Inhibitor.
What Drugs May Interact With Vardenafil?
PDE-5 inhibitors often interact with other drugs. Being aware of what those drugs are is essential to staying safe while taking Vardenafil.
For one thing, generic Levitra will limit the effectiveness of nitrates. This is because Vardenafil (Generic Levitra) often exaggerates blood pressure and increases your heart rate.
You should also note that Levitra can add to the blood pressure effects of alpha-blockers. If you have chest pain, it may be a good idea to steer clear of Levitra for that reason.
A few other common drugs that interact with Vardenafil include:
- erythromycin
- clarithromycin
- ketoconazole
- itraconazole
- indinavir
- ritonavir
- atazanavir
In addition to interacting with these drugs, there are a few Vardenafil food interactions to be aware of. These interactions mostly focus on grapefruit juice, which increases the amount of Vardenafil in the bloodstream.
Herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort may also cause problems for individuals who take Verdenafil. Be sure to speak to your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort or another herbal remedy while using Vardenafil.
Is There an Interaction Between Vardenafil and Alcohol?
If you’re worried about a potential Vardenafil interaction with alcohol, you can rest easy. This drug is, for the most part, safe to consume if you drink alcohol.
However, that’s not to say that drinking a lot of alcohol while on the drug is a good idea. In some people drinking alcohol while taking Vardenafil can still cause unwanted interactions and lead to problems.
If you take Levitra and consume alcohol, it could potentially increase the amount of the drug in the body. That can lead to side effects such as:
- vision loss
- heart attack
- sudden death.
Another reason to avoid using alcohol while taking Levitra is that alcohol use itself can be a problem for sexual performance.
Drinking alcohol if you have erectile dysfunction, in general, is a bad idea. Why? Because consuming too much alcohol can actually lead to increased issues with erectile function.
If you’re struggling with ED, you may want to consider cutting out alcohol altogether. This can help improve your chances of getting and maintaining an erection.
Read more: Erectile Dysfunction & Alcohol: How Related Are They?
What Signs of Warning Should You Be Aware Of?
If you think that you may have mixed Vardenafil with something you shouldn’t have, there are a few symptoms to be on the lookout for. These symptoms include:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Changes in your vision or sudden loss of vision
- Painful erections
- Prolonged erections
- Pain that spreads out from the chest to the shoulder or jaw
- Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling lightheaded
- Seizures
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or ankles
If you experience any of these warning signs, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional immediately. They will be able to assist you and make sure that you’re not experiencing any serious drug interactions.
Remember, there are some side effects from taking Vardenafil (Generic Levitra) in general. Even though you might experience side effects, that’s not a surefire sign that you’re having a drug interaction.
Final Words
Taking Vardenafil can be a great way to help reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction. However, it can also be dangerous if you experience Vardenafil interactions. Luckily, with this guide, you should know how to avoid them.
