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Staxyn: Does It Work for Erectile Dysfunction?

Vicky Davis

Reviewed by Vicky Davis, FNP

Written by Rachel Sacks

Published 05/06/2023

Wondering about Staxyn and whether it can help with sexual performance? Find answers here.

If you deal with sexual dysfunction — especially erectile dysfunction (ED) — you’re not alone. A common health condition that affects millions of men, ED can undoubtedly impact your sexual activity and romantic life.

ED can be caused by several medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and depression. Fortunately, many erectile dysfunction treatments are available to choose from today.

One option is Staxyn (the brand name for the active ingredient vardenafil), which may have some advantages over other ED medications, like sildenafil (Viagra®), avanafil (Stendra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®).

We’ll take a closer look at whether Staxyn works for sexual dysfunction, the side effects of Staxyn pills and Staxyn costs so you can make an informed decision about treating your ED.

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Staxyn is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat erectile dysfunction. Vardenafil is the same active ingredient as 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 mg (milligram) oral tablet that dissolves on the tongue — which may be a preferred option for some taking ED medications rather than other oral pills you swallow. Vardenafil also comes as chewable mints, but Staxyn is only available as a dissolvable tablet.

If you need a lower dosage with the active ingredient vardenafil, a healthcare provider might recommend the film-coated tablet Levitra as another option.

If you’re more familiar with Viagra® and other well-known erectile dysfunction medications, you may wonder if Staxyn pills work for erectile dysfunction.

Known as a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor, Staxyn works by blocking the effect of PDE-5 enzymes and increasing nitric oxide. This lets the smooth muscles in the penis relax, increasing blood flow into the penis and ultimately leading to an erection.

A review of PDE-5 inhibitors found that 13 trials evaluating 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, as two trials of dissolving vardenafil significantly improved erectile function in the majority of men regardless of age or severity of ED.

Just a heads up, you need to take Staxyn at least one hour before sexual activity for it to work efficiently.

Also, there’s no “best” erectile dysfunction medication for everyone. You’ll usually get the best results by working with your healthcare provider to choose medication suited to your unique needs and preferences.

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It’s not unusual to experience side effects when taking Staxyn, similar to any medication. The most common side effects include:

  • Back pain

  • Dizziness or blurry vision

  • Flushing

  • Headache

  • Congestion

  • Upset stomach

Other possible effects of vardenafil include chest pain, nausea, increased heart rate, shortness of breath and muscle pain, although these are minor and occur less frequently.

More adverse effects are possible, including sudden loss of vision, decreased vision in one or both eyes, risk of priapism (a painful erection that lasts more than four hours) or sudden loss of hearing.

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

  • Certain antibacterial medications like clarithromycin

  • Alpha-blocker medication

  • Protease inhibitors for HIV treatment

  • Blood pressure medications

  • Herbal products or supplements

You also shouldn’t take Staxyn with other PDE-5 inhibitors, grapefruit products or nitrate drugs. 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.

Choose your chew

Staxyn is just one of many medications for erectile dysfunction, and it can be combined with other lifestyle changes as part of a comprehensive treatment for erectile dysfunction. After all, ED is a condition that can be caused by many factors, including physical health and mental well-being.

Diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices can all make a positive difference, such as:

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Dealing with erectile dysfunction can be a struggle, but there are plenty of treatment options — one of which is Staxyn, an ED medication.

Vardenafil, the main ingredient in Staxyn, works similarly to other common ED medications like Viagra by widening your blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the soft tissue of your penis and other areas of your body. This makes it easier to get and keep an erection following sexual stimulation and during sexual activity.

Staxyn is effective in reducing erectile dysfunction. However, it can’t actually cure the condition, and there are some minor side effects to be aware of, such as back pain, dizziness, headache and congestion.

This ED treatment may be a better option if you prefer a more convenient way of taking ED medication, as Staxyn is only available as a dissolvable tablet in one dosage. If you need a smaller or larger dose, a healthcare provider may recommend other medications instead.

Ask your provider more questions about Staxyn and whether it’s the right treatment for you. Erectile dysfunction can have many different causes, so medication may only be part of a treatment plan.

Explore ED treatments from Hims today.

5 Sources

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

  1. Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction - NIDDK. (n.d.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts
  2. Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction - NIDDK. (n.d.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes
  3. STAXYN (vardenafil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating tablets. (2010, June). Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/200179lbl.pdf
  4. Huang, S. A., & Lie, J. D. (2013). Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) Inhibitors In the Management of Erectile Dysfunction. Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 38(7), 407. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776492/
  5. Sperling, H., Gittelman, M., Norenberg, C., Ulbrich, E., & Ewald, S. (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. The journal of sexual medicine, 8(1), 261–271. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20807322/
Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Vicky Davis, FNP

Dr. Vicky Davis is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, leadership and education. 

Dr. Davis' expertise include direct patient care and many years working in clinical research to bring evidence-based care to patients and their families. 

She is a Florida native who obtained her master’s degree from the University of Florida and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020 from Chamberlain College of Nursing

She is also an active member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

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