Precautions and Warnings for Vardenafil (Cont.)

• There are certain medications that vardenafil can interact with (see Drug Interactions With Vardenafil).
   
• If you have cardiovascular disease or significant heart disease risk factors, there is an increased chance of serious side effects when taking vardenafil. In rare cases, problems with heart, brain, and blood vessels are seen in people taking this drug. These problems can lead to dangerous side effects such as heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. If you experience any symptoms during sexual activity, you should stop any further activity and talk with your healthcare provider.

(Click Side Effects of Vardenafil for more information.)

• There have also been rare cases of a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) associated with the use of vardenafil and other PDE5 inhibitors. This condition can lead to sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. If you experience any loss of vision while taking vardenafil, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

(Click Levitra and Blindness for more information.)

• The FDA considers vardenafil a pregnancy Category B medicine, meaning that while the drug has not been studied in pregnant women, it showed no negative effects on unborn babies in previous animal studies. However, vardenafil is not licensed for use in female patients.

• In rare cases, people can experience a prolonged erection that can sometimes be painful. If you experience an erection for longer than four hours while on vardenafil, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

• There have been reports of a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing in men taking vardenafil. If you develop hearing problems, stop taking vardenafil and contact your healthcare provider right away.

 

• Vardenafil does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV.