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Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which you have trouble getting or keeping an erection firm enough for satisfying sex. Erectile dysfunction affects as many as 30 million men in the United States.
Premature ejaculation (PE) is a sexual dysfunction characterized by a short ejaculatory latency, a perceived lack of control about the timing of ejaculation, and distress and interpersonal difficulty related to ejaculating too quickly.
Low testosterone or testosterone deficiency, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition in which patients develop symptoms such as low sex drive, erectile dysfunction (ED), and fatigue because the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone.
Though many men don’t like to talk about it, ejaculation problems are very common. Some of the most common issues include premature, delayed, or retrograde ejaculation.
When you think of male sexual dysfunction, concerns like erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE) probably come to mind first. But there’s another sex-related issue that’s more common in men than you might expect: difficulty orgasming.
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Like the popular drugs Viagra® and Cialis®, Staxyn® is an FDA-approved medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). These drugs help you obtain and maintain an erection by improving blood flow to the penis.
While all these medications belong to the same class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, they’re not the same. Staxyn is an orally disintegrating tablet containing the active ingredient vardenafil hydrochloride (the same as Levitra®).
Like Levitra, Staxyn’s manufacturer discontinued the drug (not for safety reasons), but its active ingredient is still available for purchase.
We’ll explain how Staxyn treats ED, side effects to know about, and why you may be better off taking its generic version, vardenafil, instead.
Staxyn is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction — it contains the active ingredient vardenafil. Vardenafil is also the active ingredient in Levitra, a film-coated tablet medication for ED.
However, vardenafil and Staxyn aren’t interchangeable, as Staxyn has greater toxicity — even at the same dose.
Staxyn comes in a 10-milligram (mg) oral tablet that dissolves on the tongue. This might be preferable for some folks who aren’t fans of swallowing oral pills. Vardenafil also comes as chewable mints, but brand-name Staxyn is only available as a dissolvable tablet.
If you need a lower dosage with the active ingredient vardenafil, a healthcare provider might recommend a film-coated tablet or compounded chewable as another option.
Staxyn works similarly to other PDE5 inhibitors. The medication blocks the effect of PDE5 enzymes and increases nitric oxide. This lets the vascular smooth muscles in the penis relax, increasing blood flow into the penis and ultimately leading to an erection.
A review of PDE5 inhibitors looked at 13 clinical trials. It found that vardenafil resulted in 68 percent of men being able to have successful sexual intercourse.
Staxyn specifically has also been found to be effective in older men with erectile dysfunction. Two trials of dissolving vardenafil significantly improved erectile function in the majority of men regardless of age or severity of ED.
As noted, Staxyn and Levitra are no longer available for purchase in the U.S. However, these drugs weren’t discontinued for any safety reasons. Fortunately, the active ingredient vardenafil is just as safe and effective in treating ED as the brand-name meds.
When it comes to choosing the right ED medication, it’s best to work with a healthcare provider to find a treatment that suits your unique needs and preferences.
It’s not unusual to experience side effects when taking Staxyn, similar to any medication. But compared to other ED meds like sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and avanafil (Stendra®), Staxyn may carry more side effects due to its formulation.
The most common side effects include:
Back pain
Dizziness or blurry vision
Flushing
Headache
Congestion
Upset stomach
Other possible side effects of vardenafil include chest pain, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and muscle pain — although these are minor and don’t happen as often.
More adverse effects are possible, but these are even more rare. They include sudden loss of hearing and vision loss like NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) and retinitis pigmentosa.
Another unusual side effect is priapism (a painful erection that lasts more than four hours). Some health conditions can make you more vulnerable to priapism, including leukemia, sickle cell anemia, and multiple myeloma.
There’s also the risk of drug interactions between Staxyn and certain medications. You should talk to a healthcare professional about any other medications you currently take, including over-the-counter medications, before using Staxyn.
A few drug interactions that can occur with Staxyn:
Antifungal medications like ketoconazole or itraconazole
Certain antibacterial medications like clarithromycin or erythromycin
Alpha-blocker medications like terazosin and tamsulosin
Antiarrhythmic drugs for irregular heartbeat, like amiodarone, sotalol, or quinidine
Guanylate cyclase stimulators like riociguat
Protease inhibitors for HIV treatment, such as indinavir, atazanavir, saquinavir, and ritonavir
Blood pressure medications
Nitrate drugs like nitroglycerin and isosorbide can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke
Herbal products or supplements
You also shouldn’t take Staxyn with other PDE5 inhibitors, grapefruit juice, or the street drugs “poppers,” including amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate. Though alcoholic beverages don’t interact with Staxyn, they can inhibit sexual arousal and cause a decrease in blood pressure.
Seek medical attention from a healthcare professional if you experience any of the above adverse effects or if side effects persist.
Had an allergic reaction to vardenafil in the past
If any of these apply to you and you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction, get in touch with your healthcare provider for medical advice about safe treatment recommendations.
Staxyn is just one of many medications for erectile dysfunction. And medication is just one type of treatment to consider.
To figure out the best treatment plan for your needs, work with a healthcare provider to explore the root cause of your symptoms. After all, ED can be caused by several medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and depression. Knowing the root cause will help you determine the best plan.
If you deal with sexual dysfunction — especially erectile dysfunction — you’re not alone. A common health condition affecting millions of men, ED can undoubtedly impact your sexual activity and romantic life.
Facing erectile dysfunction can be a struggle, but there are plenty of treatment options — one of which is Staxyn, an ED medication.
What is Staxyn and how does it work? Here’s the basics about this drug:
Staxyn’s active ingredient is vardenafil, which works similarly to other common ED medications. Like Viagra and Cialis, Staxyn widens blood vessels and increases blood flow to the soft tissue of the penis. This makes it easier to get and keep an erection following sexual stimulation and during sexual activity.
Although similar, Staxyn has a unique formulation. Staxyn pills are orally disintegrating tablets. This may increase the risk of certain side effects like back pain, dizziness, headaches, and congestion.
Staxyn is no longer available, but you can still purchase its active ingredient. The generic drug vardenafil is cheaper than brand-name drugs for ED.
Ask your provider about Staxyn and its active ingredient, vardenafil, for treating erectile dysfunction. Schedule an online consultation with a licensed healthcare professional at Hims to start exploring your options.
Huang S, et al. (2013). Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors in the management of erectile dysfunction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776492/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2017). Symptoms & causes of erectile dysfunction. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2017). Definition & facts for erectile dysfunction. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts
Sperling H, et al. (2011). Efficacy and safety of an orodispersible vardenafil formulation for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in elderly men and those with underlying conditions: an integrated analysis of two pivotal trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20807322/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2023). Determination that Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride) oral tablets, 5 milligrams, 10 milligrams, and 20 milligrams, were not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/03/2023-09365/determination-that-levitra-vardenafil-hydrochloride-oral-tablets-5-milligrams-10-milligrams-and-20
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Erectile Dysfunction
Premature Ejaculation
Low Testosterone
Retrograde Ejaculation
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Anorgasmia